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News Legal/General News Expert: Rare earth processing plant is safe
News Legal/General News Expert: Rare earth processing plant is safe 
| Expert: Rare earth processing plant is safe |
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| Tuesday, 31 January 2012 01:33pm | |
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©The New Straits Times (Used by permission) by M. HAMZAH JAMALUDIN Radiation level at site would be very low, says radiological safety adviser KUANTAN: A RADIOLOGICAL expert's assurance on the safety of Lynas Corporation's rare earth processing plant in Gebeng has helped allay fears of residents in Kampung Sungai Isap Jaya. Lynas radiological safety adviser Prof Ismail Bahari, who had briefed the residents at the Lynas office in Gebeng on Sunday, said: "The villagers has a negative perception because of misleading information. But Lynas had done its job and the plant and its processes are safe." Dr Ismail said numerous Radiological Impact Assessments (RIAs) had indicated that the radiation level at the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) would be very low when operations start. Dr Ismail, who has 30 years of experience in radiological safety and is with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said the RIAs showed that in a worst-case scenario, the radiation level would be at 0.002 mSv/year (millisievert), way less than the permissible level of 1mSv/year. He also said a fatal cancer risk assessment showed the radiation level could only cause less than one case per one million people which was much lower than the 720 cases per one million at national level. Kampung Sungai Isap Jaya neighbourhood watch committee chairman Awang Deraman said they now realised the issue had been exploited by certain parties to cause fear and instigate residents to object to the project. "They should stop giving us misleading information. "They should not politicise this project as it is a big investment and will create jobs and other benefits, not only for the locals but people from other areas," Awang said. Meanwhile, Bernama reported that the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) had received 1,123 suggestions and ideas from the public on Lynas' application for a temporary operating licence to produce lanthanide. Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the feedback had been sent to AELB via email and letters. Ongkili added that the board had met yesterday to study the suggestions and ideas, and would also decide on whether to award the licence. AELB director-general Datuk Raja Abdul Aziz Raja Adnan said any decision from the meeting would be forwarded to the minister. Set as favourite Share Email This Comments (0)
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