DOE probes black dust pollution affecting 500 residents in Taiping
Perak Department of Environment (DOE) director Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezanni Mat Salleh said they received complaints about black dust pollution from residents in the area on Aug 4.
He said the DOE had conducted air monitoring using the Air Quality Monitoring Device (GRIMM) and Portable Multigas Analyser (CEREX) at two locations in the area from Aug 6 until today.
"Observations at the monitoring sites found no smell, smoke, dust, or open burning during the period.
"The analysis of air monitoring data collected from August 6 to 11 found only two dominant gas readings recorded, namely acetylene and hydrogen cyanide," he said at a press conference held at the Aulong Assemblyman Service Centre here today.
Mohammad Ezanni said the department had also conducted monitoring using drones in areas within a five-kilometre radius of the location that had the potential to cause pollution.
"The DOE is also conducting enforcement operations on a factory suspected of causing black dust pollution in the Kamunting Industrial Area and is still awaiting the results of the chemical analysis report from the Chemistry Department, which are expected soon," he said.
Mohammad Ezanni said strict enforcement action would be taken against any premises found to be in breach of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Amendment) 2024 for causing black dust pollution.
Meanwhile, Kampung Assam Kumbang village head Sharudin Ahmad Sani said residents had to close their windows during windy conditions, as large amounts of black dust would enter their homes.
"Excessive black dust causes a foul smell but disappears when it rains," he said.
–Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
DOE probes black dust pollution affecting 500 residents in Taiping
TAIPING: About 500 residents in the Taman Tekkah Permai and Taman Tekkah Jaya areas here have been affected by black dust, believed to have been caused by industrial operations over the past week. Perak Department of Environment (DOE) director Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezanni Mat Salleh said they received complaints about black dust pollution from residents in the area on Aug 4. He said the DOE had conducted air monitoring using the Air Quality Monitoring Device (GRIMM) and Portable Multigas Analyser (CEREX) at two locations in the area from Aug 6 until today. "Observations at the monitoring sites found no smell, smoke, dust, or open burning during the period. "The analysis of air monitoring data collected from August 6 to 11 found only two dominant gas readings recorded, namely acetylene and hydrogen cyanide," he said at a press conference held at the Aulong Assemblyman Service Centre here today. Mohammad Ezanni said the department had also conducted monitoring using drones in areas within a five-kilometre radius of the location that had the potential to cause pollution. "The DOE is also conducting enforcement operations on a factory suspected of causing black dust pollution in the Kamunting Industrial Area and is still awaiting the results of the chemical analysis report from the Chemistry Department, which are expected soon," he said. Mohammad Ezanni said strict enforcement action would be taken against any premises found to be in breach of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Amendment) 2024 for causing black dust pollution. Meanwhile, Kampung Assam Kumbang village head Sharudin Ahmad Sani said residents had to close their windows during windy conditions, as large amounts of black dust would enter their homes. "Excessive black dust causes a foul smell but disappears when it rains," he said. –Bernama
The Star
7 days ago
- The Star
Perak DOE probing appearance of 'black dust' on surfaces in Tekkah
TAIPING: Investigations into the appearance of "black dust" on surfaces of items in Tekkah here are being conducted, says Perak Environment Department (DOE) director Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezanni Mat Salleh. Dr Mohammad Ezanni said the DOE has received five reports of the incident last week. He said the incident is believed to have affected about 100 homes in Taman Tekkah Permai and Taman Tekkah Jaya. "Observations at the locations found that no odour, smoke, dust or open burning occurred. "And based on our analysis of the air quality between Aug 6 and 11, we found two dominant gas readings, which are hydrogen cyanide and acetylene, which is produced from pyrolysis of tyres," he said in a press conference held at state environment committee chairman Teh Lok Lim's service centre here on Tuesday (Aug 12). "The highest data collected was on Aug 7, with the permitted amount of gas emission having exceeded the standard Malaysian Air Quality Index reading. "We've also carried out monitoring using drones within a 5km radius of the complaint location but did not find any traces of open burning or premises releasing pollution into the air in the monitored area," he added. Mohammad Ezanni said the DOE had checked about 30 premises in a nearby industrial area in Kamunting. "As of now, one premises is our primary suspect. "We have taken samples of the substance from the affected residents' homes and the premises involved and sent it to a chemical laboratory in Petaling Jaya to be analysed," he said, adding that the emission of the black dust may have been due to a malfunction of pollution control equipment. "If the samples match, we will take action against the premises," he added. Teh said the situation has now stabilised, but urged residents in the areas affected to continue being vigilant. "Please ensure the windows are closed when the wind blows. All cooking equipment should also be cleaned thoroughly," he said.
Malay Mail
31-07-2025
- Malay Mail
New haze forecasting system in the works as DOE steps up monitoring, enforcement
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — The Department of Environment (DOE) is developing a detailed haze forecasting system in collaboration with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), with pilot testing expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026. Nor Aziah Jaafar, director of the DOE's Air Division, said the new system aims to predict haze events earlier and more accurately by combining satellite data with meteorological information to identify high-risk areas. 'Although it's still a pilot project, we aim to see its results by next year. We will assess the system in more detail, possibly through various simulations, and if proven reliable, especially in forecasting patterns, we can use it in the future,' she said during a media dialogue session here today. Nor Aziah explained that the system would analyse factors like air movement, heat levels, and weather patterns to anticipate fires in peatland areas, particularly during hot and dry seasons. Current Monitoring and Enforcement Efforts She also added that local monitoring data is also integrated with information from international bodies such as the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Currently, she said the DoE monitors the country's air quality through 68 automated monitoring stations operating 24 hours a day, and provides real-time Air Pollutant Index (API) readings via the Environmental Data Centre (EDC). 'Legal enforcement has also been intensified, with warning notices, compounds and legal action taken against individuals and companies involved in illegal burning. 'Enforcement efforts are conducted in collaboration with 13 other agencies to ensure faster and more coordinated action on the ground,' she said. She explained that the joint approach improves operational efficiency and allows immediate action to be taken before haze conditions worsen. As of yesterday, the department had carried out 4,247 ground patrols and 859 drone flights across the country as part of its active monitoring efforts. She said various awareness campaigns have also been launched, including the 'No Open Burning' initiative and sustainable community programmes involving local residents.
