Malaysia shuts nearly 500 schools in second episode of toxic fumes

Malaysia has ordered nearly 500 schools and kindergartens to close until Thursday, after dozens of people were hospitalized with symptoms suggesting they breathed toxic fumes, possibly from industrial waste, the second such incident this year.

Students made up the bulk of the 75 people who have suffered breathing difficulties, vomiting and dizziness since last week, after inhaling the fumes, possibly from waste dumped by factories in the southern state of Johor, bordering Singapore.