Illegal dumping of toxic waste from industry

In pursuit of a fully developed nation status in 2020 or the standard of industrialized countries, today we witness the growth of the industry grows more and more like mushrooms after rain. Production of industrial waste is a side effect that cannot be avoided. Disposal of this waste has become increasingly complex due to the large number and diversity of nature and the dangers to human health and the environment.

In our country there are about 5.000 companies that have been identified produce toxic waste or waste that requires treatment schedule carefully before disposal. To address the problem of waste disposal, a treatment plant and disposal of toxic waste has been developed by the government at Pineapple Hill, NSW. It involves the cost of hundreds of millions of dollars and operate officially in 1998. But there are still some irresponsible parties who prefer open ground, remote areas and the river to remove the waste.

On June 3 of 2004, the DOE will notify the waste reduction campaign to revive "The Malaysian Agenda for Waste Reduction (Rose)" which is their target industry sectors. However, several incidents of illegal dumping of industrial waste is reported to have occurred after the campaign (see Table 1). The discovery, more than 500 barrels of toxic waste or poison scheduled in the area of oil palm plantation in Ijok, Selangor is very stagger. More surprising yet, the cost of cleaning up this waste is to reach millions of dollars and had to be borne by the state government. Why this event occurs when a variety of campaigns, the threat of punishment and persuasion incentives have been made by the government?

It is easy blame finger to the industry, the company and law enforcement as the responsible party to overcome the problem of illegal disposal of toxic waste. However, we must always realize that a healthy environment and ownership belongs to us all, so all parties must play a move that more pro-active in preventing illegal dumping of industrial toxic waste.

The public, including members of the Safety Committee (JKKK), REAL team and non-governmental organizations should be sensitive to their environment and become the eyes and ears of the authorities. A form of remuneration or incentives should be considered as an incentive to report any incidents of illegal disposal.

Industry must be urged to use various approaches and scientific methods that are environmentally friendly at every stage of processing to reduce toxic waste at the same time to save the cost of production.

Industry should have the facilities and waste disposal management system is safe. The industry can not afford to make the system disposal facility must be required to obtain the services of companies that carry out the work of disposal such as the Environmental Quality Sdn Bhd. Period and the total savings in the industrial premises should be restricted to facilitate the disposal as well as avoiding the possibility of leakage, accidents or environmental disasters.

Site disposal or treatment of toxic waste should be increased in number and are managed by companies that are competitive for the competition to create healthier. With this expected high cost of disposal is reduced. At present almost all the toxic waste that cannot be treated or processed in the country had to be sent to the Hill Pineapple. Traveling from the north and east Malaysia have increased the risk of wider contamination in the event of an accident during the trip.

Environmental authority must make a more effective monitoring of toxic industrial waste management system in Malaysia. Surprise inspections on all industrial premises must be carried out from time to time. Issuance of licenses to companies or contractors involved in the work of waste are to be tightened. Law enforcement must be strengthened so as not to appear to set off a cough at the stairs.

Legislation should be reviewed now because it is found to be so fearful of the industry. Payment of illegal dumping of waste compound offense charged is lower than the toxic waste disposal fees. This resulted in the availability of certain parties who take the easy way to dispose of remote areas.


Health-related disruption of Environment

1. Allergy
Especially children who are sensitive to dust, feathers, fluff, certain chemicals, especially synthetic type and cause allergies such as sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose.

2. Mumps
Lack of iodine in food can cause enlargement of the thyroid gland in the neck.

3. Disabled
Pesticides, endocrine , heavy metals, organic pollutants, and others can cause damage to the human reproductive system and cause physical and neurological disabilities in children newly born, or when growing up.

4. Dermatitis
Skin irritation or dermatitis can be caused by chemicals such as solvents, detergents, metals, and other plants.

5. 'Emfisema'
The lungs cannot pump air in and out properly. Air pollution by smoke and others can stimulate 'emfisema'

6.'Fluorosis'
The merit of the mineral fluoride in toothpaste or food can cause tooth decay, especially bone. In some countries, fluorides are found in the soil and contaminate drinking water.

7. Kidney damage
Metals such as chromium, lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, pesticides, organic solvents can cause kidney damage.

8. Hormone disruption
Can occur when exposed to organic contaminants remain as dioxin, PCBs, endocrine as pesticides, phthalate, and others.

9. The weakness of the immune system
The weakness of this system causes the body susceptible to disease. Usually caused by organic contaminants remain, endocrine and others.

10. Heart disease
Unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking, drinking alcohol can cause heart disease.

11. Cancer
Various types of cancer has been associated with exposure to asbestos, cigarette smoke, organic solvents, heavy metals and pesticides. Cancer is like lung cancer, breast, liver, reproductive system, leukemia and others.

12. Disease 'Legionnaire'
A type of lung disease caused by microorganisms, Legionella in the water. They reproduce rapidly in hot conditions.

13. 'Mesothelioma'
A type of lung cancer usually caused by long term exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is commonly used in construction materials such as ceilings, pipes and so on.

14. Nicotine Poisoning
Nicotine in cigarette smoke resulted in a variety of diseases among the lung cancer.

15. Osteoporosis
Lack of the mineral calcium in the foods can cause decay of the bones or osteoporosis.

16. Lead Poisoning
This poisoning is indicated by signs and symptoms such as headache, muscle cramps, seizures, learning difficulties and can cause death. Commonly found in paints, stationery, water contaminated by industrial waste.

17. Fever 'Queensland'
Due to the small organisms in animal feed. Symptoms are fever, chills, pain in the muscles.

18. Mercury Poisoning
May cause kidney damage, liver and nervous. Signs and symptoms of poisoning, such as numbness, muscle weakness, opaque eyes, paralysis and can lead to death. Usually found in contaminated fish.

19. Nervous system damage
May occur as a result of exposure to chemicals such as pesticides, heavy metals, organic solvents.

20. Poisonous plants
There are many poisonous plants in Australia that can affect human health. Some are used as ornamental plants in the site and house.

21. Snake bite
Can cause weakness, weakness, excessive production of saliva, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, muscle paralysis in the face, lips, tongue and respiratory tract. Decreased blood pressure, eyes misty (ptosis), seizure (convulsion), sweat, sweat, gangrene in bites and even death.


22. Virus Infection
There are a variety of airborne virus either, food, water and soil. These viruses have caused many deaths in Pakistan. For example, “nipah virus” causes meningitis.

23. Poison perfume
Commonly found in cosmetics, detergent, shampoo. It can cause inflammation of the eyes, skin, respiratory disorders and cancer.

24. Xeroderma pigmentation
Inherited disease in which the black spotted skin like acne scars as a result of exposure to direct rays of the sun.

25. Poisoning 'Yusho'
In 1968, over 1000 people of western Japan experienced a poisoning caused by food prepared from oil contaminated with poliklorinated bifenil. ‘Yusho ‘ oil disease means that the signs and symptoms such as fatigue, headache, numbness, coughing and inflammation of the skin.

26. Zinc Deficiency
The lack of this mineral can cause growth, inflammation of the skin, baldness, lack of resistance against disease and infertility. Normal concentration in serum is 70-150 ug / dL.