Radioactivity levels around bauxite mining areas not critical – Tangau
KUANTAN: The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry has assured that radioactivity caused by bauxite mining activities in this district is not at critical levels.
Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau said the people, therefore, should not be alarmed by reports published by an English language newspaper which stated that radioactivity levels in the area due to the mining activities were worrisome.
“I myself went down to the ground to look at the situation of the bauxite mining activities reported by the newspaper and (the reports) have caused some concern among the public, especially with regard to the levels of radioactivity.
“As a ministry in charge of the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB), as soon as the reports were published we took a proactive measure by taking samples to be analysed,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after visiting the bauxite mining area in RTP Bukit Goh, Felda Bukit Goh, and the bauxite stockpile site at Kuantan Port, here, yesterday.
He said the AELB and the Malaysian Nuclear Agency (ANM) had taken samples of soil, water and bauxite in the location last week to be analysed in a laboratory, and the Chemistry Department was also analysing water samples from the river received from the Pahang Department of Environment.
Tangau said all the reports would then be submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, to be tabled to the Cabinet.
He also explained that the tests to detect radioactive levels would take up to a month, as it required the samples to be in stable condition.
“The confusion among the public is due to the misunderstanding of what radioactivity itself is about. When the samples are taken, they cannot be analysed immediately. There must be a one to two-week waiting period because the samples need to be in a stable condition.
“Only after that can the samples be analysed. It is not like water samples which, if taken yesterday, can yield results by tomorrow,” he said.
He questioned the validity of the radioactivity test results published by the newspaper in terms of methodology, including the sampling methods and equipment used.
In addition, he said, the lab where the tests were done was also not mentioned, and that there were only two laboratories in Malaysia capable of conducting tests related to radioactivity, namely Asia Lab Sdn Bhd and ANM.
“The radioactivity content in total suspended solids reported by the newspaper was also normal, and did not actually pose any radiological risk to the public.” — Bernama