SG PETANI – The residents of Cinta Sayang Resort Villas as well as thousands of others in nearby housing estates have complained that they have been breathing in unhealthy air over the last two weeks due to smoke emissions from a factory in Bukit Selambau Industrial Estate.
According to a local environment group consisting of a pair of doctors, university students, and the residents themselves, the locals have been exposed to “pungent and toxic” air, which has led to breathing difficulties, nausea, and vomiting.
The group who wished to remain anonymous told The Vibes that the situation is extremely problematic for asthmatic patients, children, and the sick, and dangerous to the well-being of the public in general.
Monitoring the air quality, the watchdog found that on March 29, the particulate matter (PM) measured an index of 2.5, or PM2.5 out of PM10.
“The air quality index remained at PM2.5 on April 1, April 2, and yesterday,” said the group’s spokesman.
“We immediately alerted the Environment Department (DoE) via their e-Aduan channel, and they replied that they have investigated the issue around the Cinta Sayang Resort Villas.
“They confirmed smoke, believed to be from wood factories in Bukit Selambau. They have since forwarded the complaint to the Sg Petani DoE office for further action.”
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is damaging to public health, with tiny particles in the air that can reduce visibility while causing the air to appear hazy when their levels are elevated.
Most studies say PM2.5, or below 12 μg/m3, is considered healthy with little to no risk from exposure.
If the level goes to or above 35 μg/m3 in a 24-hour period, the air is considered unhealthy and can cause issues for people with existing breathing issues such as asthma.
Factories operate at night after receiving DoE’s stop-work order
It seems this is not the first time air pollution from Bukit Selambau has affected the surrounding district.
In September last year, the authorities issued a stop-work order to a wood product manufacturing plant and an electronic waste treatment plant that discharged an excess of polluted air in their operations.
However, the locals now believe that one or both the factories are trying to dodge the law and have ignored the stop-work order by continuing their unscrupulous activities at night to avoid detection, seeing as there are no unpleasant smells during the day.
A resident who also requested anonymity said the authorities should take immediate action to stop the problem or it would affect the health, environment, and air quality in the area.
“Imagine the health condition of some people or children with asthmatic problems. Don’t you think they will suffer during this time?
The smell is unbearable and one can immediately say it is toxic. The residents want a permanent solution for the problem, and we cannot bear this lasting for a lifetime,” he said.
The factory believed to be processing wood products is located about 10km from the housing area and is surrounded by around 30 residential estates.
Meanwhile, a 60-year-old businessman added that they have lodged a formal complaint to the factory’s management and DoE, but the problem persists.
He said the DoE should continue to monitor and watch the operations of factories that release polluted air, which affects the health of thousands of residents in the area, and penalise factory managements if they violate the 1974 Environmental Quality Act.
When contacted, Kedah DoE said a complaint naming the factory must be lodged via the e-Aduan system.
Meanwhile, the state’s Environment, Housing, Unity and Chinese and Siamese Community Affairs Committee Chairman Robert Ling did not respond when told of the issue. – The Vibes, April 7, 2022
