Police stand at the entrance to the Portmore toll road on Marcus Garvey Drive following an apparent chemical leak in the area yesterday. - Ian Allen

Health officials up to late yesterday evening had been pressed to ascertain the source that caused an air pollution scare which greatly affected motorists and workers near the Portmore toll road.

This led to temporary closure of the busy highway.

THE WEEKEND STAR understands that as a result, traffic was diverted to the Mandela Highway for persons seeking to enter and leave Portmore. The toll was, however, reopened minutes to 8 p.m.

In a release last night, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emer-gency Management stated, "Though the odour along the toll road has dissipated, motorists are being urged to still take precaution".

Motorists were also advised to keep their windows up near the Port Henderson Road.

Initial reports are that the hazardous substance sickened a number of people and they had to seek medical attention.

Workers from the ports and the Toll Plaza on the Portmore leg of Highway 2000 had to be evacuated yesterday after disaster officials concluded the venomous substance had been released in the area.

Several police personnel were noticed sporting protective gears while directing traffic from areas that were cordoned off including the entrance to Portmore from Marcus Garvey Drive.

- A.W.