Latest news with #MohammadEzanni
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Climate
- 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 Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Taiping black dust pollution affects 500 residents, DOE investigates
TAIPING: Approximately 500 residents in Taman Tekkah Permai and Taman Tekkah Jaya have reported black dust pollution suspected to originate from industrial activities over the past week. Perak Department of Environment director Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezanni Mat Salleh confirmed receiving complaints from affected residents on 4 August. The DOE deployed air monitoring equipment, including the Air Quality Monitoring Device (GRIMM) and Portable Multigas Analyser (CEREX), at two locations between 6 and 12 August. 'Observations at the monitoring sites found no smell, smoke, dust, or open burning during the period,' Mohammad Ezanni stated during a press conference at the Aulong Assemblyman Service Centre. Air monitoring data from 6 to 11 August detected only two dominant gases: acetylene and hydrogen cyanide. The department expanded investigations using drones within a five-kilometre radius of potential pollution sources. 'Enforcement operations are underway at a factory in the Kamunting Industrial Area suspected of causing the pollution, pending chemical analysis results from the Chemistry Department,' he added. Mohammad Ezanni warned of strict action against violators of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Amendment) 2024. Kampung Assam Kumbang village head Sharudin Ahmad Sani described residents' struggles with the pollution. 'Residents must close windows during windy conditions as black dust enters homes, accompanied by a foul smell that dissipates after rainfall,' he explained. – Bernama
The Star
6 days ago
- Climate
- 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.
