‘TACKLE HEAVY METAL POLLUTION ISSUE’

NGO wants Penang govt to investigate cause of contamination on northern coast of island

THE Penang government has been urged to take serious action over heavy metal pollution on the northern coast of the island. Malaysian Nature Society Penang adviser D. Kanda Kumar said state Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh’s claim that battery dumping was the likely cause of the pollution was evidence of the state government’s blasé attitude over the issue.

“How can one say that it is battery dumping when batteries currently are mostly made of lithium. One can hardly get nickeland cadmium-based batteries nowadays,” he said.

“Does he know how many batteries are needed for a pollution of that magnitude?” On Sunday, Phee told the New Straits

Times that the illegal dumping of batteries

was a possible cause of the heavy metal pollution near Tanjung Tokong and Monkey Beach here.

It was reported that high levels of nickel, with concentrations of 944 per cent higher than normal, were found in the sea off Penang National Park.

Studies by Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (Cemacs) revealed that high levels of lead were also found (184 per cent above normal levels), while cadmium was 32 per cent higher than normal.

Cemacs director Professor Datuk Dr Aileen Tan had said the source of the pollution had not been determined, but since no industrial activity and development was allowed in Penang National Park, the only explanation for the contamination was that passing ships could be dumping something in the seas.

Kanda said the state government must conduct a study to determine the real cause of the pollution.

He suggested that the state government check on whether any river near industries dealing with nickel and cadmium were dredged recently.

Tanjung Bungah Residents Association chairperson Meena Raman said Phee’s comments were “irresponsible” and there should be a proper investigation into the source of the pollution.