Lynas poses no negative effect on environment, health

KUANTAN, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- The water quality at Sungai Balok which is located near Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) in Gebeng here shows an improvement in quality in the past six years when the factory was operating.

Pahang Department of Environment (DOE) director Rosli Zul said monitoring involved obtaining samples from two monitoring stations in the river.   

“The river water samples obtained from the source was at class 4, but the samples which passed through the industrial area rose to class 3.

"This is because the discharged water is treated before it is released thus helping to improve the water quality of Sungai Balok,” he said.    

Rosli was speaking at the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) Operations Evaluation Executive Committee Public Hearing here today.

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LYNAS-SAFETY 2 KUANTAN 

He added that DOE inspection and study on Lynas found the factory processing rare earth complied with all conditions stipulated and showed a positive impact to the environment. 

Meanwhile, Health Ministry (KKM) public health specialist, Dr Nur Aiza Zakaria said there was no increasing trend found for cancer, eye inflammation and respiratory diseases among the people in Kuantan. 

She said the data was not made public as there was no instruction to do so.

Dr Nur Aiza added KKM was also requested to produce a special study on the rare earth factory with cancer but the study was found to be too expensive.

 Meanwhile, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)  chemical management division director, Hazlina Yon told the hearing that Lynas complied to all necessary regulations.

“Lynas also complied with audit system and submitted machinery maintenance reports and took measures to improve any audit findings,” he said.   

-- BERNAMA