IzanJay-Environmental Articles/News Collection

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Laporan IAEA : Kontroversi Isu Loji Pemprosesan Nadir Bumi LYNAS

Source : http://maribinablog.blogspot.com/2013/01/laporan-iaea-kontroversi-isu-loji.html

Satu kajian telah dilakukan oleh IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) dari segi aspek keselamatan radiasi bagi loji pemprosesan nadir bumi Lynas di Gebeng, Kuantan dari penghujung Mei hingga awal Jun 2011. Kajian yang dilakukan dalam tempoh ini adalah hasil dari jemputan dan komitmen kerajaan Malaysia, bagi memastikan sejauh mana tahap keselamatan radiasi loji pemprosesan nadir bumi Lynas.

Menurut laporan IAEA, pemprosesan nadir bumi Lynas bermula dengan aktiviti perlombongan dan diikuti proses penyaringan di Mt. Weld, Australia Barat. Nadir bumi yang telah melalui proses saringan ini kemudian dihantar ke Gebeng, Kuantan bagi proses menghasilkan produk akhir.

Beberapa perkara penting yang dipetik dari laporan IAEA ialah nadir bumi yang diimport dari Mt. Weld, Australia Barat dan kaedah pengurusan sisa bahan berkenaan di Malaysia adalah selari dengan garis panduan antarabangsa bagi kaedah pemprosesan bahan galian yang juga merangkumi bahan galian semulajadi bersifat radioaktif (NORM, Natural Occuring Radioactive Material) .

IAEA turut menyemak perkara ini melalui RPP (Radiation Protection Program) oleh Lynas dan membuat kesimpulan bahawa sekiranya RRP ini diimplementasikan, tidak akan ada kesan radiologi berbahaya kepada orang awam dan pekerja apabila loji beroperasi.

Menurut laporan IAEA, peraturan keselamatan radioaktif di Malaysia juga adalah lebih ketat berbanding apa yang telah digariskan oleh IAEA. Sebagai contoh, dos yang diterima orang awam ialah 0.3mSv/year dan bagi pekerja loji pula 10mSv/year berbanding limit dos yang dibenarkan IAEA iaitu 20mSv/year. Dari panduan keselamatan oleh IAEA, bahan dengan konsentrasi aktiviti radionuklid di bawah 1Bq/g berada dalam lingkungan batu-batuan dan tanah yang biasa dan tidak dianggap sebagai radioaktif.

Bahan yang mempunyai konsentrasi aktiviti radionuklid dalam lingkungan 1Bq/g hingga 10Bq/g pula boleh dianggap radioaktif, namun boleh dipertimbangkan untuk pengecualian dari badan-badan kerajaan yang bertanggungjawab mengawal selia perlesanan (AELB ).

Walau bagaimanapun, ini juga bergantung sekiranya dos radiasi yang diterima oleh individu tidak melebihi 1mSv/year. Hasil kajian RIA (Radiological Impact Assesment) mendapati dos purata radiasi bagi pekerja yang terdedah ialah 2mSv/year . Kajian dibuat berdasarkan anggaran maksima 400 orang pekerja di loji Lynas. Oleh yang demikian, dalam kes ini pengecualian perlesenan dari AELB (Atomic Energy Licensing Board) adalah tidak dibenarkan.

Dari segi pengurusan sisa, loji Lynas menghasilkan 3 jenis sisa iaitu Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) , Neutralization Underflow (NUF) dan Water Leach Purification (WLP). Konsentrasi aktiviti radionuklid bagi FGD dan NUF adalah hampir sama dengan nilai bagi batu-batuan dan tanah di Malaysia.

Walau bagaimanapun, tiada peruntukan peraturan AELB bagi membolehkan FGD dan NUF dikecualikan dari klasifikasi sisa radioaktif. IAEA walau bagaimanapun telah mencadangkan supaya AELB memperuntukkan kriteria yang membenarkan FGD dan NUF diisytiharkan sebagai tidak radioaktif untuk membolehkan bahan ini dikeluarkan dari loji dan sekiranya perlu, ia diisytiharkan sebagai bahan buangan berjadual.

Pasukan yang membuat kajian ini juga mengalu-alukan usaha Lynas untuk memproses semula sisa bahan pepejal (WLP) yang dihasilkan loji kedalam bentuk yang boleh diguna pakai semula. Sisa yang terhasil ini akan di simpan secara sementara di tempat penyimpanan sisa (RSF, Residue Storage Facility) sebelum dikitar semula. Sisa yang tidak boleh dikitar semula akan dilupuskan di tempat pelupusan sisa.

Undang-undang di Malaysia memperuntukkan 5 jenis lesen bagi membolehkan pembangunan dan pengoperasian loji-loji seumpamanya di negara ini dan 5 jenis lesen yang dimaksudkan ialah lesen menduduki, lesen pembinaan, lesen pra-pengoperasian, lesen pengoperasian dan lesen bagi operasi pemuliharaan (decontiminate).

Kajian dilakukan oleh IAEA adalah berdasarkan dokumentasi yang diperoleh bagi fasa di bawah lesen pembinaan. Bagi fasa seterusnya Lynas akan menghantar dokumen-dokumen berkaitan kepada AELB Malaysia untuk diteliti bagi tujuan perlesenan pra-pengoperasian dan pengoperasian.

IAEA telah membahagikan skop kajian kepada 5 perkara iaitu dari segi aspek perlindungan radiasi , pengurusan sisa, pemuliharaan , pengangkutan, dan penilaian keselamatan. Kajian yang dilakukan membabitkan pakar dari 5 buah negara iaitu Leo M. Lowe (Canada) , Ulric Schwela (United Kingdom), P.M.B Pillai (India), Jan Van Der Steen (Belanda) , Dennis Wymer (Afrika Selatan) dan beberapa kakitangan dari IAEA itu sendiri.

Hasil kajian yang diperolehi dari pakar-pakar dan kakitangan IAEA menyatakan operasi kilang Lynas di Gebeng mematuhi segala garis panduan keselamatan radiasi yang ditetapkan standard antarabangsa. Walau bagaimanapun 7 perkara dibangkitkan iaitu;

1. Pelan pengurusan sisa bagi jangka panjang oleh Lynas kepada AELB bagi penilaian.

2. Pelan pengurusan sisa dan pemuliharaan kawasan sekitar apabila operasi dihentikan oleh Lynas kepada AELB bagi penilaian.

3. AELB perlu menggunakan data-data yang diperoleh apabila loji mula beroperasi dan kesan kepada pekerja dan penduduk sekitar untuk penilaian yang lebih tepat.

4. AELB perlu mencadangkan satu kriteria yang membenarkan Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) dan sisa bagi Neutralization Underflow (NUF) diisytiharkan sebagai tidak radioaktif untuk membolehkan bahan ini dikeluarkan dari loji dan sekiranya perlu, ia diistiharkan sebagai bahan buangan berjadual.

5. AELB perlu melaksanakan mekanisma bagi memperoleh dana pengurusan sisa dalam tempoh jangka masa yang panjang dengan Lynas sebagai penyumbang dana.

6. Kerajaan Malaysia perlu memastikan operasi loji Lynas di Gebeng mempunyai tenaga kerja mahir,kewangan yang kukuh serta sumber-sumber teknikal yang mencukupi.

7. Adalah menjadi tanggungjawab AELB dan Kementerian berkaitan untuk mengemaskini panduan terutama perkara berkaitan (NORM, Natural Occuring Radioactive Material) berdasarkan standard antarabangsa yang terkini.

Selain itu, kumpulan yang mewakili orang awam ini turut mencadangkan supaya AELB dan Lynas memainkan peranan yang efektif dalam memberi penjelasan yang mudah difahami terutama dari segi keselamatan dan kesan operasi loji pemprosesan nadi bumi Lynas pada orang awam.

Sumber: http://klpos.com/

Friday, December 14, 2012

Natural disasters 'a challenge for maritime bodies'

14 December 2012| last updated at 12:30AM

KUALA LUMPUR: Natural disasters and man-made accidents pose even greater challenges to maritime enforcement agencies, as do organised crime, a forum was told.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency director-general Admiral Datuk Mohd Amdan Kurish said the inability to predict accurately natural hazards, like tsunami and typhoons, despite advancements in meteorological technology, had led to devastating results.

"All we can do is minimise casualties with improved coordination and cooperation in crisis management and search and rescue following the destructive forces of nature or after man-made disasters like oil spills and accidents."

Additionally, Amdan added that deliberate and irresponsible dumping of chemical pollutants, heavy metals, sewage and other toxic waste into oceans also posed a pollution threat.

"On the other hand, the lack of sufficient cohesion and adequate governance had led to exploitation by mariners to commit crimes like piracy, armed robbery, hijacking, terrorism, vice and the trafficking of drugs, arms, humans and other contrabands.

"What affects the world, affects us. Therefore, we need to be smarter about the way we work together to combat transnational crime," he said at the opening of the "Gulf of Thailand Commanders Forum: Initiative to Strengthen Maritime Law Enforcement Interoperability" at the Shangri-La hotel, here, yesterday.

Amdan added the need to safeguard the freedom and safety of navigation was all the more compelling as it had profound social, political and economic impacts on countries.

Meanwhile, United States embassy deputy chief of mission Lee McClenny called on stakeholders to collectively counter the maritime threats from environmental degradation and illegal fishing and the smuggling of humans, wildlife and contraband.

"The threats include the nightmare scenario where nuclear, biological or chemical weapons or commodities are conveyed. We have to plan, train and be prepared."

McClenny added that during emergencies, there would be no time for evacuation drills or exercises.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

'Natural disasters, man-made accidents pose even greater challenges'

13 December 2012| last updated at 05:56PM

By Adrian David

KUALA LUMPUR: Natural disasters and man-made accidents pose even greater challenges to maritime enforcement agencies, as do organised crime, a forum was told.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency director-general Admiral Datuk Mohd Amdan Kurish said the inability to predict accurately natural hazards like tsunami and typhoons, despite advancements in meteorological technology, has led to devastating results.

“All we can do is minimise casualties with improved coordination and cooperation in crisis management, search and rescue following the destructive forces of nature or after man-made disasters like oil spills and accidents,” he said.

Additionally, Amdan added the deliberate and irresponsible dumping of chemical pollutants, heavy metals, sewage and other toxic waste into oceans posed threats to pollution.

“On the other hand, the lack of sufficient cohesion and adequate governance had led to exploitation by mariners to commit crimes like piracy, armed robbery, hijacking, terrorism, vice and the trafficking of drugs, arms, humans and other contrabands.

“What affects the world, affects us. Therefore, we need to be smarter about the way we work together to combat transnational crime,” he said at the opening of the ‘Gulf of Thailand Commanders Forum: Initiative to Strengthen Maritime Law Enforcement Interoperability’ at the Shangri-La Hotel, yesterday.

Amdan added the need to safeguard the freedom and safety of navigation was all the more compelling as it had profound social, political and economic impacts on countries.

Meanwhile, United States embassy deputy chief of mission Lee McClenny called on stakeholders to collectively counter the maritime threats from environmental degradation, illegal fishing to smuggling of humans, wildlife and contraband.

“The threats include the nightmare scenario where nuclear, biological or chemical weapons or commodities are conveyed. We have to plan, train and be prepared,” he said.

McClenny added that during emergencies there would be no time for evacuation drills or exercises, let alone having to deal with criminals or screen suspicious passengers and cargo manifests.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Natural disasters pose challenges to maritime enforcement agencies

12 December 2012| last updated at 07:08PM

By adrian david

KUALA LUMPUR: Natural disasters and man-made accidents pose even greater challenges to maritime enforcement agencies, as do organised crime, a forum was told.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency director-general Admiral Datuk Mohd Amdan Kurish said that the inability to predict accurately natural hazards like tsunamis and typhoons, despite advancements in meteorological technology, led to devastating results.

Additionally, Amdan added the delibrate and irresponsible dumping of chemical pollutants, heavy metals, sewage and other toxic waste into oceans posed threats to pollution.

“On the other hand, the lack of sufficient cohesion and adequate governance had led to exploitation by mariners to commit crime like piracy, armed robbery, hijacking, terrorism, vice and the trafficking of drugs, arms, humans and other contrabands via ships.

“What affects the world, affects us. Therefore, we need to be smarter about the way we work together to strengthen the legal and law enforcement to combat transnational crime,” he said at the opening of the ‘Gulf of Thailand Commanders Forum: Initiative to Strengthen Maritime Law Enforcement Interoperability’ at the Shangri-La Hotel, yesterday.

Amdan added the need to safeguard the freedom and safety of navigation was, thus, all the more compelling as it had profound social, political and economic impacts on countries.

“The threats include the nightmare scenario where nuclear, biological or chemical weapons or commodities are conveyed. Therefore, we have to plan, train and be prepared,” he said.

McClenny added that during emergencies there would be no time for evacuation drills or exercises, let alone having to deal with criminals or screen suspicious passengers and cargo manifests.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Bercham dumpsite to close next year

Source : NST, 8/12/11

RESIDENTS living near the Bercham dumpsite can literally heave a sigh of relief once the garbage dump is closed next year.

A modern landfill, set to be built over a 226.6ha plot in Papan town, seven kilometres from here, will become the city's main garbage disposal site beginning February next year.

Mayor Datuk Roshidi Hashim said the new facility would allow the overburdened Bercham dumpsite to be finally closed.

"Once the Papan landfill begins operation in March next year, rubbish will not be sent to the Bercham dumpsite. The old site, which has been a source of complaints for years due to its stench and pollution, will be gradually shut down," said Roshidi, after chairing the city council's monthly full board meeting.

Roshidi added that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project has been completed and construction is expected to begin early next year.

"The construction project will be managed by Selekta Spektra Sdn Bhd, which was appointed by the state government."

He added that the new plant would address problems faced at the Bercham dumpsite, such as pollution due to untreated waste flowing into the Kinta river.

"Among the measures taken include separating waste into organic and inorganic matter for recycling, proper waste treatment, and extraction of harmful methane gasses.

"We will also be installing a geo-textile lining in the plant to prevent toxic waste from leaching underground,” he said.
He pointed out that the facility was expected to be on par with the landfills in Bukit Tagar, Selangor, Mambok, Sarawak and Cambodia.

“The Papan plant will be built to comply with Level 4 sanitary landfill specifications, which include leachate treatment facilities,” he said, adding that Level 4 landfills could be used for all types of waste, including household, commercial, industrial and street cleaning waste, dewatered sludge from sewage treatment plants, and drainage waste.
“It does not treat hazardous, toxic or hospital waste,” he said.
Roshidi said the Papan plant would treat waste from Ipoh, Perak Tengah, Kampar and Batu Gajah districts.

“Local authorities in nearby districts will work will also take responsibility with the Ipoh City Council in maintaining the plant.”in the plant's maintenance," he added.
The Bercham dumpsite, which has been operating since 1990, has been the main dumping ground in the city and was also able to accept non-toxic industrial waste from factories in the Kinta Valley.

The Bercham dumpsite was opened in 1990.