Impact of bad air quality, AMR needs further study
PETALING JAYA: There are correlations between antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and air quality, say experts.
However, they said further studies are needed to ascertain its impact in the local setting. They were commenting on a recent study published in the Lancet Planetary Health journal, indicating the correlation between air pollution and AMR.
Head of Infection Control Unit, Department of Medical Microbiology at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Hospital UPM, Tengku Dr Zetty Maztura Tengku Jamaluddin said the occurrence of antibacterial genetic elements have been documented in the environment, including in water and soil.
“PM2.5 is a fine particulate matter, with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller. These tiny particles are a component of air pollution and can be released into the atmosphere from various sources, including industrial processes, vehicle emissions, and natural events like wildfires,” she said.
PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers.
Read more: Impact of bad air quality, AMR needs further study
Tukar sampah kepada barangan keperluan, bayar sewa rumah
Februari 13, 2022 @ 8:47am
KUALA LUMPUR: Inisiatif pertukaran sampah kepada potongan bayaran sewa rumah dan barangan keperluan asas menerusi 1C1R (1 Community 1 Recycle) mampu menarik minat masyarakat mempraktikkan amalan kitar semula, sekali gus memberi impak kepada kualiti alam sekitar.
Menerusi inisiatif menggunakan konsep sistem barter itu, penduduk Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) yang membawa barang kitar semula ke kios 1C1R akan mendapat mata ganjaran atau 'green coin' yang boleh dikumpul dari semasa ke semasa dan kemudiannya ditukar kepada pembayaran sewa rumah serta barangan keperluan harian.
Misalnya, setiap satu kilogram (kg) sisa tin aluminium yang mewakili 12 mata ganjaran boleh ditukar dengan sepeket gula, manakala setiap satu kilogram minyak masak terpakai akan ditukar kepada mata ganjaran bernilai sekitar RM2, yang jika dikumpul sehingga 1,240 mata ganjaran (50 kg) boleh ditukarkan kepada sewa bulanan bernilai RM124.
Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah, berkata inisiatif rintis yang mula dilaksanakan di lima PPR sejak Oktober tahun lepas itu juga dilihat sebagai langkah untuk meringankan beban warga kota serta kaedah alternatif kepada penyewa PPR Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) terutama golongan B40.
"Daripada mereka bawa dan buang sampah yang boleh dikitar semula ini ke rumah sampah sahaja, mereka boleh bawa ke kios kitar semula ini untuk sedikit sebanyak menampung sewa bulanan atau ditukar kepada barangan keperluan.
"Jadi secara tidak langsung ia akan dapat menjadi alternatif buat mereka yang tak mampu bayar sewa sekali gus mengurangkan jumlah mereka yang mempunyai tunggakan, walaupun sewa hanyalah RM124 ada yang tak mampu dan punya kekangan untuk bayar," katanya kepada Bernama.
Read more: Tukar sampah kepada barangan keperluan, bayar sewa rumah
Local councils need post-flood waste management system
December 25, 2021 @ 4:56pm
KUALA LUMPUR: The aftermath of the massive flood that struck several states in the country since last week was devastating and in its aftermath, floodwater damage as well mud-soaked household items are no longer of use, with all now left piled up to be thrown away.
The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) Education Officer N. V. Subbarow said local councils in the respective states must have a proper post-flood waste management system, in the face of the annual inundation.
"Since this (floodings) has become an annual affair affecting the people, the councils must come up with proper waste management system.
"The post-flood garbage is huge and they have to clear it within a short period. Almost nothing can be recycled, mattresses, and others, all will pile up in landfills.
"They should have proper plans and active it whenever needed," he told the New Straits Times today.
He said local councils should set up more bulk rubbish disposal bins in housing estates and frequent collection intervals to reduce more waste being dumped outside their home.
Subbarow also suggested for waste segregation for more effective waste management.
Several states including Selangor, Kelantan and Pahang were hit with massive floods displacing thousands from their homes since last week.
While heavy downpours and outdated drainage were blamed for the flood, Subbarow believes the dumping of plastics also contributed to the inundation.
There are instances where plastic waste dumped had clogged-up rivers and drains.
Read more: Local councils need post-flood waste management system
Jangan lakukan pembakaran terbuka
21 Julai 2021
PUTRAJAYA - Orang ramai diingatkan tidak melakukan pembakaran terbuka terutama di kawasan mudah terbakar.
Menteri Alam Sekitar dan Air (KASA), Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man berkata, data Jabatan Akan Sekitar (JAS) menunjukkan banyak kes pembakaran terbuka berlaku di kawasan pelupusan sampah sarap, kebun tanaman, tapak pembinaan dan industri.
"Malaysia berada pada fasa Monsun Barat Daya sehingga September depan.
"Taburan hujan akan berkurang dan pembakaran terbuka berpotensi menyebabkan jerebu," katanya menerusi Twitter pada Rabu.
Menerusi ciapannya, Tuan Ibrahim berkata, melakukan pembakaran terbuka merupakan satu kesalahan di bawah Seksyen 29A (2) atau 29B, Akta Kualiti Alam Sekeliling 1974.
Ia memperuntukkan kompaun sehingga RM2,000 bagi setiap kesalahan, denda maksimum RM500,000 atau penjara tidak melebihi lima tahun atau kedua-duanya sekali.
Lack of enforcement causing more environmental damage, says group
June 5, 2021 10:00 AM
PETALING JAYA: A green group says there has been an increase in land degradation, land grab and illegal logging and mining during the movement control order (MCO) period.
Speaking to FMT in conjunction with World Environment Day today, the Global Environment Centre (GEC) noted that state revenue had taken a hit from economic restrictions, with their budgets also dented due to stimulus packages, increased health expenditure and other measures to battle the pandemic.
“Where can they find additional money and fill their budget deficits? From leasing land,” said GEC director Faizal Parish.
“We understand their budgets are currently focused on health and economic stimulus measures, but some agencies have seen their allocations cut by 50% or 60%, and some don’t have the budget to carry out enforcement.
“Certainly, the MCO limited essential services, and the environment department and local councils were not out there doing their usual checks.
“We started the year with a bit of optimism, but the reality is that more bad things have been happening due to a lack of patrolling.”
Faizal said that since logging and plantations were labelled as essential industries, companies in those sectors “went at it” without supervision.
“Everyone is using the cover of Covid-19 lockdowns to destroy the environment,” he said.
However, a spokesman for the forestry department said that while budgets may have had to be trimmed due to the pandemic, enforcement activities had been going on as usual since the start of the first MCO in March 2020.
“They haven’t stopped,” the spokesman added.
“They are still out there checking on illegal logging, patrolling forests and making sure factories in the timber industry don’t take advantage of any situations that may have arisen due to the pandemic.”
Read more: Lack of enforcement causing more environmental damage, says group
Didik masyarakat hargai makanan
06 Mei 2021
CYBERJAYA - Perbadanan Pengurusan Sisa Pepejal dan Pembersihan Awam (SWCorp) di bawah Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan (KPKT) meneruskan pelaksanaan Kempen Hargai Makanan, Elak Pembaziran pada tahun ini untuk terus mengurangkan pembaziran makanan di tapak pelupusan sampah.
Kempen yang masuk tahun keenam itu digerakkan bagi mengelakkan kesan pencemaran dan pemanasan global.
Timbalan Menteri Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan, Ismail Abd Muttalib berkata, lambakan sisa makanan di tapak pelupusan menyumbang kepada pencemaran alam sekitar serta pemanasan global akibat pembebasan gas metana yang terhasil daripada penguraian sisa makanan.
“Gas metana atau gas rumah hijau membawa kesan ke atas pemanasan bumi sebanyak 34 kali lebih bahaya berbanding gas karbon dioksida.
“Janaan sisa pepejal di Malaysia sehari ialah 38,120 tan dan daripada jumlah itu sebanyak 44.5 peratus ialah sisa makanan yang bersamaan dengan 17,000 tan sehari,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas melancarkan Kempen Hargai Makanan, Elak Pembaziran 2021 yang diadakan serentak dengan Perhimpunan Bulanan Penjawat Awam KPKT di SWCorp.
Ismail memberitahu, keseluruhan sisa makanan yang dibuang itu boleh memuatkan tujuh buah kolam renang Sukan Olimpik.
Tougher laws needed to save water sources, says CAP
March 21, 2021 11:27 AM
PETALING JAYA: A consumer organisation wants the authorities to move away from mere “sloganeering” when it comes to protecting water resources and has called for more action as it claims that pollution is getting worse.
The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) said there is an urgent need for tougher water-related laws with much higher penalties in view of the numerous violations caused by irresponsible individuals and industries.
It said recent incidents, including the depletion of water at reservoirs in several dams such as the Muda Dam in Kedah and river pollution in Selangor and Johor, are evidence of deteriorating water quality and supply.
In Kedah, it said, residents are worried that their health will be affected because the supply of tap water has not only been reduced but also dirty and silty.
“Communities sourcing water from the hills also complain that the supply is contaminated with mud as a result of uncontrolled logging and extractive activities in the catchment area,” CAP said in a statement in conjunction with World Water Day tomorrow.
It said the water quality at Timah Tasoh lake in Perlis and Tasik Chini in Pahang has also been badly affected by environmental pollution from the surrounding areas.
“Our investigations found that threats to water resources such as destruction of catchment areas due to logging activities, and pollution of rivers and seas by industrial waste, sewage, agrochemical residue and sediment from agricultural areas, and animal manure and livestock waste including garbage disposal, have increased.
Read more: Tougher laws needed to save water sources, says CAP
Sampai bila-bila pun masalah air takkan selesai kalau...
Mac 23, 2021 07:00 MYT
KUALA LUMPUR: Isu masalah air bukanlah perkara baharu. Kerap kali dibicarakan, dilaporkan dan dibincangkan, namun seakan tiada perubahan dan tetap berulang.
Masalah yang acap kali kita hadapi ini tidak mungkin dapat berakhir sekiranya kita masih melihat perihal kewangan dan materialistik itu lebih penting daripada alam sekitar, kata aktivis alam sekitar, Amlir Ayat.
Jelasnya, pemikiran sedemikian akhirnya hanya akan menjejaskan kehidupan kita apatah lagi generasi yang akan datang walaupun hadir bermacam bentuk teknologi untuk merawat kecelaan yang kita sendiri cipta.
“Apabila kita punyai sikap materialistik dan berjangka pendek, maka kita sanggup untuk lakukan apa sahaja terhadap alam sekitar.
“Letaklah teknologi hijau apa sekalipun, ia takkan selesai jika orang masih buang sampah ke dalam sungai dan ada sikap tah mahu memelihara air,” katanya.
Seharusnya ujar Amlir, masyarakat di setiap peringkat dari bangku sekolah khususnya dan khalayak awam perlu dididik dan dipupuk kesedaran tentang peri pentingnya air atau alam sekitar secara amnya supaya kita tidak berfikiran bahawa teknologi akan dapat menyelesaikan segala masalah.
Apabila masyarakat benar-benar sedar dan faham akan peranan penting air dalam kelangsungan kehidupan manusia di muka bumi ini, maka teknologi akan berfungsi dengan sebaiknya dalam mengekalkan kelestarian dan kemapanannya.
“Kalau kita didik masyarakat untuk guna air secara berhemah, tak cemarkan sungai, maka mereka ini bukan sahaja akan menggunakan air dengan berhemah secara individu malah sebagai pemain industri atau apa juga bidang mereka, dalam kepala mereka (sentiasa berfikir) “aku mesti jaga air.”
Read more: Sampai bila-bila pun masalah air takkan selesai kalau...
There’s money in recycling, don’t let it go to waste, govt urged
March 11, 2021 8:30 AM
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) has urged Putrajaya to remodel the waste management system to meet the rising demand for recycled plastic resin in the next four years.
MPMA vice-president CC Cheah said it made “commercial sense” to tap into the recycling industry, which generates some RM4.5 billion in annual revenue.
Demand for recycled plastic, he said, was expected to hit 4.5 million tonnes by 2025.
Cheah said the Covid-19 pandemic had also led to a surge in demand for plastic for consumer products, such as food packaging and electronics.
This, in turn, would further contribute to the demand for recycled plastic resin, he said.
“There is money to be made in waste management. There are a lot of business opportunities that many private companies want to invest in,” he told FMT.
He believed that with the right incentives, proper regulation and framework as well as Putrajaya’s support, the sector can grow into a RM15 billion to RM20 billion industry.
Cheah said that apart from that, the industry would offer job opportunities, especially for chemical, mechanical and electrical engineers as well as technicians, on top of other disciplines.
In remodelling the nation’s waste management system, he said, Putrajaya should invest in more materials recovery facilities, or MRFs, nationwide.
These facilities are used to “separate and densify commingled materials” to prepare them for recycling.
Read more: There’s money in recycling, don’t let it go to waste, govt urged
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