Environmental group Ban Cyanide Action Committee (BCAC) today revealed that the permissible hydrogen cyanide level set by the Department of Environment at its air monitoring station is a lot higher than it should be.
Upon inspection of the daily records from 12 January to 20 January, the group found that cyanide was detected in the air almost every minute, peaking at 1.11 parts per million by volume (ppm).
What's more worrying, BCAC chairman, Wong Kin Hoon says that the Department of Environment has set the permissible limit of hydrogen cyanide at 10 parts per million, double the industrial standards which is set at 4.7ppm.
Chemical expert and the group's advisor Tan Ka Kheng, says the permissible limit should be at least ten times less than industrial standards.
Tan then clarified that he is not opposed to mining, but if it's going to be done, the safety of the surrounding residents should be a priority.
Full story : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/220951
