Recycling plants pose health hazard

Compiled by HANIS ZAINAL, JAROD LIM and R. ARAVINTHAN 

PLASTIC waste recycling factories have started mushrooming in Kuala Langat with dire consequences, Kosmo! reported.

A source told the daily that the factories started operating about two years ago, and there are at least 38 factories there now, from the initial 12.

The source claimed that several of the factories were built on agricultural land and some near residential areas.

The source added that Kuala Langat was chosen because of its proximity to Port Klang, where shipments of plastic waste arrived.

The source said plastic waste that could not be recycled into other materials was burnt.

“What’s disturbing is that factories located near rivers just dump the waste into the waters,” claimed the source.

Residents interviewed by the daily claimed they were prone to illnesses and insomnia after the factories began their operations there.

Ngoo Kwi Hong, a resident from Taman Sentosa, Jenjarom in Kuala Langat said he and his family started having health issues, such as coughing and sore throat.

“Three weeks ago, I had to visit the doctor after having runny nose and cough that did not go away for months,” said Ngoo, 46, whose house is situated about 200m from one of the factories.

A check with the Department of Environment Selangor showed that 11 of the 38 factories were unlicensed.

 

> The daily also reported that singer and composer Hael Husaini is enjoying his life as a father to his adopted daughter Nur Helena, who is 15 months old.

“Her presence brings more meaning to my life. I have also learnt to be more patient,” said the 30-year-old who adopted Nur Helena in May last year.

He said his status as a single man did not prevent him from being a good father to Nur Helena.

“I faced a lot of challenges when I first adopted her, as that was the period I was learning to adapt, especially when I had no experience in being a parent.

“But I am glad I overcame them and I am now able to care for Nur Helena well,” he said, adding that apart from him, his family members also helps to take care of his daughter.

The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.