Chemical waste dumpsite uncovered
> Material not toxic but cannot be left in direct sunlight: DOE
PONTIAN: An unlicensed fertiliser processing centre is believed to have dumped hundreds of plastic containers filled with liquid chemical waste at a five-acre site near an oil palm estate in Parit Sikom, near here.
Some of the material was dumped in 200-litre industrial storage containers.
The Johor Department of Environment (DOE) sent a team of five officers to the location after receiving a complaint on Monday.
“We have issued a stop-work order on the operator although the waste is reusable,” Johor DOE director Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezanni Mat Salleh said yesterday.
“Although the liquid is not toxic, they cannot be stored under the sun. That is not a proper way of storage.”
He said the processing centre did not have a licence, although it had been operating for a few years.
Mohammad Ezanni said the case will be investigated under Section 34B of Environmental Quality Act 1974 and action will be taken against the offenders.
Pekan Nanas DAP state assemblyman Yeo Tung Siong ( pix) told a press conference yesterday the chemical waste posed a health hazard to villagers living nearby. Hundreds of acres of the estate were affected, with trees dying and lower production of fruits reported, he said.
Villagers had lodged complaints with the authorities, including the Health Department but no action had been taken.