The toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition has called on national and local authorities to conduct a nationwide safety audit of ice and cold storage plants to proactively prevent ammonia gas leaks and ensure business and community preparedness for emergencies.
Recent Incident Prompts Action
The advocacy group for a zero-waste and toxics-free society issued the recommendation after an ammonia leak occurred on April 29, 2026, at Cristal Ice Plant in Deparo Street, Barangay 168, Caloocan City. Several individuals were hospitalized due to respiratory issues, and local evacuations and road closures were ordered following the incident.
Importance of the Proposed Audit
According to the group, the proposed audit is essential to curb ammonia discharges from facilities that use it for cooling, freezing, and food preservation, including ice making, food processing, beverage manufacturing, and cold storage or refrigerated warehousing. The audit should verify compliance with regulations to prevent, detect, and respond to hazardous material releases. Key measures include installing gas detection systems for continuous leak monitoring, developing emergency response plans, implementing crisis and emergency risk communication protocols, and ensuring other environmental and safety measures are in place.
Community Involvement
The EcoWaste Coalition emphasized that communities hosting facilities using ammonia, especially those in or near densely populated areas, should be able to meaningfully participate in such audits. This aligns with the public's right to know and be involved in matters concerning their health and safety.
Health Risks of Ammonia Exposure
Exposure to ammonia can cause severe irritation or burns to the respiratory system, eyes, and skin, often accompanied by dizziness and nausea. High-level exposure can be life-threatening.
Pattern of Accidents
The Deparo ammonia leak highlights a dangerous pattern of accidents in local ice and cold storage facilities, the group observed. Notable incidents include:
- October 2024: An ammonia leak at Saporro Ice and Cold Storage in Barangay Blumentritt, Murcia, Negros Occidental, affected around 120 families.
- December 2023: Twelve workers at an ice plant in Barangay San Antonio, Quezon City, were evacuated following an ammonia leak.
- June 2023: A 16-year-old died, and over 20 people were hospitalized due to breathing difficulties after an ammonia leak at Icy Point Cold Storage in Navotas City, which also caught fire.
- April 2022: Residents near Magsimpan Ice Plant in Navotas City were evacuated after an ammonia leak; 16 people were hospitalized.
- February 2021: An ammonia leak at T.P. Marcelo Ice Plant in Navotas City killed two employees, hospitalized nearly 100 people, and led to the evacuation of some 3,000 residents. Around the same time, an ammonia leak from an ice plant in Lian, Batangas, caused nearby plants to wither and fish to die.
- March 2019: An ammonia gas tank explosion at an ice plant in Barangay Tuburan, Pagadian City, killed one worker and injured two others.
- September 2018: At least 35 residents of Polomolok, South Cotabato, were hospitalized due to an ammonia leak from a fruit processing and storage plant.
- February 2018: An ammonia leak from a nearby ice plant sent 57 students of Olongapo City National High School to a hospital.
- October 2016: A worker was killed and another hospitalized after ammonia leaked from a cold storage facility in Mandaue City. Hundreds of workers at an industrial complex in Carmona, Cavite, stopped work due to an ammonia leak from an ice plant.
- June 2012: Hundreds of residents of Barangay Sta. Cruz, Quezon City, fled to safety after an ammonia leak from an ice plant.
- April 2012: An ammonia leak at a cold storage facility in Barangay Manggahan, Pasig City, hospitalized three individuals.
- February 2012: An ammonia gas leak from an ice plant sickened 100 residents in Barangay Ayala, Zamboanga City.
- March 2011: Residents of Barangay Tibag, Pulilan, Bulacan, were affected by an ammonia leak from an ice cream factory.
- February 2011: Over 300 families were evacuated due to an ammonia spill at an ice plant in Barangay Bagong Bantay, Quezon City.
The EcoWaste Coalition concluded that the proposed audit will help prevent and reduce ammonia releases from ice and cold storage facilities, promoting public health and safety from such hazardous incidents.
