nuclear-news

Malaysia’s old closed rare earths refinery still radioactive decades later

Radiation still high at closed rare earth refinery? Selangor Times,  Basil Foo, 23 Mar 2012 IPOH: Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas (SMSL) activists claimed high doses of radiation were found at the former Bukit Merah rare earth refinery site last Saturday  “The radiation emission here is 2.0 millisievert (mSv) per year. If we hang around here long enough, our health will be affected,” said SMSL chairperson Tan Bun Teet.

They took radiation readings using a Japanese-made Environmental Radiation Monitor at the entrance to the former refinery site, which was ringed by concrete walls and metal gates. According to the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 Radiation Protection (Basic Safety Standards Regulations 1988), the annual dose limit for a member of the public is 1 mSv.

Tan said the dangers of radiation were well-known – from the testimonies of former workers at the Bukit Merah refinery whose children developed deformities.

“We are worried that what had happened here would happen in Kuantan.”

The Kuantan-based SMSL made a cross-country fact-finding mission to
Bukit Merah last Saturday.

They met with like-minded local group Anti Lynas Rare Earth Refinery
Assistance Committee.

SMSL activist and chemical engineer Au Yon Wei Kiat, who acquired the
radiation monitor, remarked how radiation levels remained above normal
even after many years.

“Even after 20 years, the readings are still higher than normal.
Prolonged exposure, through inhalation, will cause tumour growth,” he
said.

However, he added that it would take an exposure over the long term,
more than just one or two years, for one’s health to be harmed….
http://www.selangortimes.com/index.php?section=news&permalink=20120323123347-radiation-still-high-at-closed-rare-earth-refinery

March 24, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, Malaysia