KUANTAN, June 14 -- The Pahang Department of Environment (DOE) said no acid contamination had been detected in Sungai Cherating following a hydrochloric acid spill from an overturned tanker near the Cherating Bridge yesterday.

The department said the accident site was about 100 metres from the river.

Water samples taken at three locations within the surrounding mangrove area recorded a normal pH level of six.

"Meanwhile, pH monitoring using YSI equipment in Sungai Cherating recorded a reading of 9.4, indicating that no acid contamination had occurred in the river," the DOE said in a statement today.

DOE enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of the accident involving a tanker carrying hydrochloric ac...