Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — The recent gas leak in south Jeddah's Petromin district fueled concern among local residents who feared their proximity to Saudi Aramco's oil refinery put them at considerable risk. Speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette, many residents expressed fear that further leaks and toxic gas emissions could occur in the future, putting them and their families at serious risk. One Saudi Aramco employee was killed and some 11 others nearly suffocated in the hydrogen sulfide gas leak at the refinery on May 5. Ali Hassan Aqil, a resident of the district, said local residents could smell gas emissions shortly before the leak took place. “Even our air-conditioners absorb the foul smell of gas and benzene and thus causing health problems. Two of my children are suffering from asthma as well as allergic and respiratory problems,” he said. Majed Al-Maliki, another citizen, said the biggest problem facing residents of the area is the presence of the refinery in their neighborhood. “Shifting the refinery outside the periphery of residential areas is a must,” he said. Echoing Al-Maliki's words, resident Ayman Al-Fahmi added: “The pollution-related problems originated from the refinery have always been a cause of concern for citizens for several years now. The poor state of drainage and roads, as well as traffic congestion caused by both moving and parked trucks, is a major problem facing area residents.” “If the leakage recurs it may trigger powerful blasts that cause casualties in the densely populated areas of the district. Oil tankers add to the traffic problems here and they may also lead to a disaster,” he said. Many local residents said they are suffering from several health problems due to environmental pollution caused by the refinery. Some of them regularly visit hospitals to receive treatment for pollution-related diseases. They demanded compensation and new residential facilities outside the district. Referring to the new construction of a government school for girls which is nearing completion, resident Sadeq Tantawi said authorities had no plans to shift people from the area. A senior official at Saudi Aramco said maintenance of the company and its pipelines are being overseen by the Higher Commission for Industrial Security under the Ministry of Interior. Meanwhile, a number of experts said a desalination plant located at the end of Tahliah Road on the Corniche should be moved to an unpopulated area. The experts said smoke and gas emissions from chimneys of the plant create serious environmental problems. “If there are any difficulties in shifting the plant, new filters should be installed to reduce the level of emissions or transform the plant to one that is based on reverse osmosis system. Pollution from the plant causes asthma and other respiratory problems as well as skin allergies,” one expert noted. Commenting on the situation, environmental expert Abdulrahman Kamas said while it may be difficult to shift the plant, authorities can take other steps to reduce the number of toxicants the plant emits into the atmosphere. “There are several solutions to address the pollution problem, including transforming it into one that is based on reverse osmosis system, as mentioned by the governor of Saline Water Conversion Corporation a few months ago. A new desalination plant based on reverse osmosis system is nearing completion now. With the opening of the new plant, the existing plant with four chimneys would halt operation, and the pollution-related problems would also come to an end,” he said.
