MALAYSIA ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNAL

Career opportunity in Environmental

2011-05-10T15:07:00.000+08:00

Today I met an environmental website which useful for those who wants to expends career internationally.

For more information please visit

http://www.ecojobs.com/

EIA Legislation in Malaysia

2011-04-25T15:10:00.000+08:00

The prescribed activity can only carried out once EIA is approved by the DG

Panalties:

Fine RM100,000 and/or 5 years jail

RM1,000 per day the offence is continued after notice by DG

Long term mobileuse and the risk of brain cancer

2011-04-25T14:51:00.003+08:00

Using mobile phones for more than 10 years doubles the risk of brain cancer, newspapers reported. They suggest that the risk may be greater in children whose thinner skulls and developing nervous system make them more vulnerable.

The Daily Mail reported that “researchers found that long-term users had double the chance of getting a malignant tumour on the side of the brain where they held the handset”.

The stories are based on a review of studies that looked at the difference in mobile phone usage between people with and without brain tumours for more than a 10 year period.

The authors found 11 studies on people who had used mobile phones for more than a decade. Some of these showed that mobile phone use significantly increased the risk of some types of brain cancer while others did not.

Further perspective is given to this by data from Cancer Research UK, which suggests that “brain tumours” are rare and occur in less than seven in 100,000 people.

Contrary to newspaper reports, this review did not find that children are at greater risk of cancer from mobile use. The review did not look specifically at children and it would not be possible to come to this conclusion. These headlines originated from a comment by one of the authors.

However, the Stewart Report, a government sponsored independent review, recommended in 2004 that the use of mobiles by children should be minimised as a precautionary measure. This recommendation is endorsed by the findings from the 2007 MTHR Report, which found that although there was no evidence that mobile phones were associated with adverse effects in adults, further research is still needed for their use by children, and for their long-term use by adults. Proposals for the MTHR 2 study that begins in 2008 include epidemiological studies of the risk of brain tumours in children.

Environmental Auditing in Environmental Management Plan

2011-04-25T14:43:00.001+08:00

The ISO 14010 standard defines an environmental audit as;

"Systematic, documented verification process of objectively obtaining and evaluating audit evidence to determine whether specified environmental activities, events, conditions, management systems or information about these matters conform with audit criteria, and communicating the result of this process to the client"

The key elements in the environmental audits includes
- systematic
- documented
- verification process
- objective
- evaluating audit evidence
- activities, events, conditions, standards, EMP specification- communication of results

Environmental Auditing (compliance) is a key 'checking' step to ensure that the project proponent and contractors implement and adhere to the environmental requirement specified in the EMP. Typical audit criteria include:

a- EIA approval conditions by DOE, NREB, contract tender specifications
b- Standars and guidelines enforced by DOE
c- Other requirements, policy, ets

The Environmental auditing procedures should be in line with the requirements of ISO 14000 standards. The approach typically involves:
- Document review
- site inspection
- interviews

This typically covers
- monitoring data
- minutes of meetings
- correspondence with DOE
- latest site drawings
- project schedule updates
doe

List of Prescribed Activities (Extract from the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities)(EIA)Order 1987)

2011-04-01T15:11:00.001+08:00

1. Agriculture
2. Airport
3. Drainage and Irrigation
4. Land Reclamation
5. Fisheries
6. Forestry
7. Housing
8. Industry ; chemical, Petrochemicals, Non-ferrous, Aluminum, Copper' Other ( Non metallic, iron and steel, shipyards, pulp and paper, industry)
9. Infrastructure
10.Ports
11.Mining
12. Petroleum
13. Power Generation and Transmission
14. Quarries
15. Railways
16. Transportation
17. Resort and Recreational Development

Sarawak's Natural Resources and Environment (Pescribes Activities) Order 1994

2011-04-01T15:01:00.000+08:00

Sarawak's Natural Resources and Environment, Order 1994 makes it mandatory for project proponents and/or developers to carry out Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on activities having impact on the environment and natural resources.

The following activities, which are the Prescribed activites contained in the First Schedule of the Order require the conduct of EIA

1. Agriculture Development
2. Logging
3. Development of Commercial Industrial Housing Estates
4. Activities Which May Pollute Inland water or Affect Sources of Water Supply
5. Fisheries and Activities Which May Endanger Marine or Aquatic Life, Plants in Inland Waters or Erosion of River Banks
6. Extension and Removal of Rock Materials and Mining
7. Any Other Activities Which May Damage or Have an Adverse Impact on quality of Environment or Natural Resources of the States

Understanding an Environmental Management Plan (EMP)

2011-03-29T20:19:00.001+08:00

A key outcome of EIA process will be an EMP which:

- Identifies key potential project impact areas
- Set out the programme for monitoring and auditing the potential impacts
- Establishes reporting and mitigation (including emergency) response procedure

The purpose of EMP is to get a perspective of Environmental management of the project, the proponent should prepare the master EMP for the whole project. The main contractor can then prepare specific EMPs for their specific contract packages which fits into the overall EMP.

EMP's typically contain the following:
a- A concise statement of purpose and policy
b- A summary the key potential impacts of the project. this should be written in simple language for the layman
c- A list of legal requirement, standards and guidelines which applies to the project
d- A detailed programme for execution of environmental works which is integrated with the ocerall project programme. This typically includes management of soil erosion, siltation , air, water pollution and hazardous substances
e- Environmental objective and targets
f- Clearly defined structure with roles and responsibilities for environmental management
g- Training and qualification requirements for key staff, i.e environmental auditors
h- Clear lines for communication regarding environmental management matters
i- Specific document and operation control procedures eg. specific methods and guidelines to control the identified impacts
j- Emergency response and event contigency plans with specified trigger levels
k- Environmental monitoring programme and procedures
l- Environmental records
m- Environmental auditing programme and protocol
n- Management review

EIA Procedure in Malaysia

2011-03-22T15:48:00.001+08:00

There are three major steps in EIA procedure

STEP 1: Preliminary Assessment
- the initial assessment of impact of prescibed activities
- initiated at the pre-feasibility stage of the development activity
- the stage that project options are identified and significant residual impacts are made known
- the preliminary EIa report is prepared and reviewed by DOE (Department of Environment) internally at state level
- assistance fir reviewing may be sought from other government and non-government agencies

STEP 2: Detailed Assessment
- is undertaken for projects where significant residual environment impact have been predicted in the preliminary stage
-continues during the feasibility stage of the project
-detailed EIA report submitted to DOE headquarters for review and approval prior to the project being approved to proceed
-Term of reference prepared y an ad hoc reviewal panel
- EIA reviewed by ad-hoc panel chaired by DG

STEP 3: Reviewed
- Recommendation from the review is transmitted to the relevant project approving authority for consideration in the decision making process
- DOE maintains a list of experts who may be called to sit on Review panels. The selection is based on the areas of environmental impacts to be reviewed.

List of EIA Guidelines in Malaysia

2011-03-22T07:50:00.004+08:00

Section 34A specifies that EIA reports shall be in accordance with the guidelines prescribed by the Director General. The key Guideline material is a 'handbook of EIA Guidelines and Procedures' published by Depatrment of Environment (DOE). In addition EIA guidelines for spesific sectors have been produced and the following are currently available at DOE.

EIA's typically takes 2 to 6 months to prepare, depending on the size and complexity of the Project.

1. EIA Guidelines for Toxic and Hazardous Treatment and disposal Projects EG 13.95
2. EIA Guidelines for Development of Hill Resort & Hotel Facilities in Hill
stations EG 8/95
3. EIA Guidelines for Municipal Solid waste & sewerage Treatment & disposal Projects EG 12/95
4. EIA Guidelines for Drainage and Irrigation Projects EG 3/95
5. EIA Guidelines for Mines and Quarries EG/795
6. EIA Guidelines for Dams and / or Reservoir Projects EG 5/95
7. EIA Guidelines for Coastal Resort Projects EG 5/95
8. EIA Guidelines for Thermal Power Generation and Transmission Project EG/95
9. EIA Guidelines for Fishing Harbours or Land Based aquaculture Projects EG/95
10. Penilaian Kesan Alam Sekeliling bagi Pembangunan Padang Golf EG 8/95
11. EIA Guidelines for Groundwater and/ or Surface Water Supply Projects EG 1/95
12. EIA Guidelines for Petrochemical Industries EG 6/95
13. EIA Guidelines for Industrial Estate Development EG 7/94
14. EIA Guidelines for Development of Tourist & Recreational Facilities In National Parks EG 9/95
15. EIA Guidelines for Development of Tourist & Recreational Facilities on Islands In Marine Parks EG/10/95
16. EIA Guidelines for Industrial Projects EG 11/95
17. EIA Guidelines for Sitting and Zoning of Industries EG 11/94
18. A handbook of EIA Guidelines
19. EIA Guidelines for the Management & Disposal of Waste in Upstream Petroleum Industries EG 9/94
20. Guidelines for the Management & Disposal of Waste in Downstream Petroleum Industries EG 9/94
21. Soil Erosion and Control Guidelines
22. EIA Guidelines for Forestry Projects

Radiation level and its effects

2011-03-15T17:12:00.003+08:00

Source:http://themalaysianinsider.com/world/article/how-much-radiation-is-dangerous/March 15, 2011

TOKYO, March 15 — Japan asked local governments to make more frequent radiation checks after explosions at two nuclear reactors, with reports of radiation levels nine times normal briefly detected in Kanagawa near Tokyo.

Below are some facts about the health dangers posed by higher radiation levels.

1.Chief Cabinet Minister Yukio Edano said radiation levels near the stricken plant on the northeast coast reached as high as 400 millisieverts (mSv) an hour, thousands of times higher than readings before the blast. That would be 20 times the current yearly level for some nuclear-industry employees and uranium miners.

2.Exposure to 350 mSv was the criterion for relocating people after the Chernobyl accident, according to the World Nuclear Association.

3.People are exposed to natural radiation of about 2 mSv a year.

4. Airline crew flying the New York-Tokyo polar route are exposed to 9 mSv a year.

5. Exposure to 100 mSv a year is the lowest level at which any increase in cancer is clearly evident. A cumulative 1,000 mSv would probably cause a fatal cancer many years later in five out of every 100 persons exposed to it.

6. A single 1,000 mSv dose causes radiation sickness such as nausea but not death. A single dose of 5,000 mSv would kill about half of those exposed to it within a month.

7. Very acute radiation, like that which happened in Chernobyl and to the Japanese workers at the nuclear power station, is unlikely for the population,” said Lam Ching-wan, a chemical pathologist at the University of Hong Kong.

For the latest news on Japan’s nuclear crisis, go to http://www.world-nuclear.org/ — Reuters

Tsunami tragedy and exploded nuclear power plant

2011-03-15T16:50:00.003+08:00

This post was issued by me last year... as my concern to japan Tsunami tragedy and blast hits its Nuclear power plant.

Depending what you useit for, nuclear energy can be good (or bad). If you use it for peaceful purposes, then I am all for it. If it is making weapons, missiles and other things, then this is the wrong use for it.

My only concern is with nuclear energy itself and all the hazards associated, environmental and health, and the cost involved. Today with the climate change, nuclear energy is not the answer. Renewable sources of energy, changing lifestyle and sustainable development is part of the answer as well the energy efficiency and energy conservation

Nuclear energy is not a clean source. That is a terrible fallacy. Why? The use of nuclear energy is what do we do to dispose of radioactive waste, which lasts for thousands and thousands of years. Plutonium has a half-life of 24,000 years! What is that? 240 centuries, 24 millennia. If prehistoric man started out with nuclear energy, today we would still be managing his waste. Here we are talking about radioactive waste forever

My greatest concern is the disposable of radioactive waste. Secondly, there are so many fallacies about the cost of nuclear energy. Nobody can say it cheap.

eTo have an energy mix between all sort of energy is must as depletion of fossil fuel, we will not have the energy we need. Of course we can reduce the pressure of the demand for energy through prudent use and becoming more efficient.

INWQS for Class 1

2010-12-11T09:29:00.003+08:00

The Interim Water Quality Standards for Class 1 are as follows.

Class 1 is considered a very clean water. The water need no treatment as it only need to boil as a drinking water. The supply of drinking water or any sensitive aquatic species must follow this standard to ensure it safe to use.

Ammonical Nitrogen (mg/l)- 0.1

BOD (mg/l) - 1

COD (mg/l) - 10

DO (mg/l) - 7

pH - 6.5-8.5

Colour (TCU) - 15

Electrical Conductivity (mmhos/cm) - 1000

Floatables -

Odour -

Salinity (o/oo) - 0.5

Taste - N

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/l) - 500

Total Suspended Solids (mg/l) - 25

Temperature (oC) -

Turbidity (NTU)- 5

Faecal Caliform* (counts/100ml) -10

Total Coliform (counts/100ml) - 100

Accurate Flow Measurement in Large Pipes

2010-12-08T14:55:00.000+08:00

The ADFM Pro20 from Teledyne Isco (USA) brings unparalleled flow measurement accuracy to large pipes and channels, delivering flow rate data within 2% of actual value, in flow depths up to 20 feet (6m). Four (4) piezoelectric ceramics in the sensor emit short pulses along narrow acoustic beams pointing in different directions to measure velocity. A fifth ceramic mounted in the center of assembly, and aimed vertically, is used to measure the depth.

Each acoustic beam measures velocity at multiple points, known as bin, in the water column. The measured velocity data each bin are very precise- to within 0.01ft/s. The distribution accurate velocity measurement is then used to determined the flow pattern over the entire cross-section flow. Since the flow pattern and measured velocity distribution are dependent to each other, the ADFM's advanced flow algorithms automatically adapt to changing hydraulic condition within the pipe. the removes the need for in-situ calibration and insures flow rate measurement over a host of different measurement environments and hydraulic condition.

The ADFM enclosure houses the signal processing, data logging, and data output electronics. The enclosure is available as NEMA 4X Box housing, suitable for wall or console mounting in permanent application, and NEMA 6P cylindrical housing for use in manholes or other 'wet' environments.

Understand EIA Requirement in Malaysia

2010-12-05T14:47:00.000+08:00

EIA REQUIREMENT In Malaysia, anyone proposing a new development project is obligated to carry out number of procedure to evaluate the project’s effects before implementation.

First Procedure : Completion of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

If the proposed project comes under 1 of 19 of activities prescribed under the environmental quality (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 1987, the project proponent must prepare EIA report in accordance with the stipulated procedure, submit to Director General of the Department of Environment (DOE) and obtain approvals.

Second Procedure : Site Suitability Evaluation and Pre-Siting Evaluation

If the proposed project not a prescribed activity subject to EIA. This evaluation report is required to assess whether the site of the proposed factory or project is compatible with other land use in the area, particularly in regard to residential zones. Evaluation is required even in planning to site the factory in an industrial estate. The DOE carries out the evaluation by checking the development plan against environmental laws and regulation.

Understanding Environmental Consultant Job in Malaysia

2010-12-03T13:01:00.002+08:00

I've been working as Environment Consultant in Kuala Lumpur for 5 years. I love this job very-very much. I love work outstation, do a field work, do a report writing, researching, and meet people from various government department or private agency. I am still looking for upright movement in my career...as my contract job has been terminated. Anyway here just to sharing my working experience.

An environmental consultant works on commercial or government contracts to address a variety of environmental issues for their clients. They cover a wide range of disciplines such as assessment of air, land and water contamination, environmental impact assessment, environmental audit, waste management and the development of environmental policy and environmental management systems.

A career as an environmental consultant offers the opportunity for a structured professional path with good prospects for development and the potential to specialise in an area of interest.
Typical work activities

As there is such a variety in the type of work that an environmental consultant may undertake on a day-to-day basis there is clearly a wide range of typical activities. A key task is to identify whether land, air or water is contaminated by means of desk-based research and field work, and then undertake an assessment to identify if that contaminant source can have an adverse impact on a receptor (such as humans or groundwater, for example).

Typical activities include:

* managing legislative issues for clients and maintaining an awareness of how legislation impacts projects;
* conducting field surveys: collecting data to establish a baseline condition for levels of pollution or contamination for a site or area of consideration;
* interpreting data: this can include detailed assessment of data, often using software-modelling packages to identify whether 'contamination' exists in accordance with current legislation;
* development of conceptual models: this involves identification and consideration of the potential contaminant sources, critical pathways and receptors that could potentially have an adverse impact on the immediate and wider environment;
* report writing: completion of detailed scientific reporting, written in a manner that can be understood by non-technical people;
* communicating with clients, regulators and sub-contractors e.g. analytical laboratories;
* researching previous investigations of a site to provide information to clients considering purchase; and possibly undertaking field work to identify previous activities on the site and any contamination.

Permissable for noise level at Factory and Machine

2010-12-01T14:47:00.001+08:00

Regulation 5. Permissible exposure limit.
(1) No employee shall be exposed to noise level exceeding equivalent continuous sound level of 90 dB (A) or exceeding the limits specified in the First Schedule or exceeding the daily noise dose of unity. (2) No employee shall be exposed to noise level exceeding 115 dB (A) at any time.

Reference: FACTORIES AND MACHINERY (NOISE EXPOSURE) REGULATIONS 1989 PART II - PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMIT

Continous Toxicity Monitoring

2010-11-30T12:38:00.003+08:00

Cymtox (UK) is wholly owned subsidiary of modern water pic. It develops and markets leading-edge water and wastewater monitoring solutions.

Online Real time Detection of toxic agents in water and wastewater monitoring of water toxicity using biosensors has become a widely accepted technique. Bacterial bio-sensors is offer simple and reproducible tests that can be automated, with reagents that can be stored. The new CTM (TM) Continuous Toxicity Monitor makes fully automatic, continuous, online testing a reality.

Certain strains of bacteria emit light when healthy, when they are exposed to toxic substances, the amount of light emitted reduces. The greater the toxicity of the sample, the lower the lights emmited. This has been shown over many years to be a reproducible effects. Measuring change in light between helaty bacteria and bacteria exposed to toxic substances will therefore indicate presence in water sample.

The CTM (TM) Continuous Toxicity Monitor automatically and simultaneously detects a broad range of toxictants including metals, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, chlorinated solvents, industrial chemicals and algal toxin. The presence of harmful contaminants in water and wastewater is detected without having to monitor for a wide range of specific chemicals.

Processing soil samples for nutrient analysis

2010-11-08T14:23:00.004+08:00

What is soil?

Soil is the loose covering the earth's topmost surface, which is practically always active.

Downwards the soil is bordered by solid or loose rocks. towards the top it is mostly bordered by a cover of vegetation, as well as atmosphere. Where the topmost layer of soil is covered by water, lakes, rivers and oceans it is considered sediment rather than soil can be defined differently.

Term of soil catogorised according to DIN 4022

Gravel - the fraction of the soil with diameter <2mm is considered as gravel, which again is divided into coarse, medium and fine gravel.

Sand- The grain fraction between 0.063mm and 2.0mm is identified as sand, which again is differentiated into coarse, medium and fine sand.

Coarse clay or silt - Contents of the soil equivalence diameter between 0.002mm and 0.063mm are grouped in coarse, medium and fine silt. The cohosive soil layer is referred in general terms also as clay.

Clay- Elements of the soil smaller than 0.002mm are considered as clay.

Soil and nutrient

Scientifically it is proven, that all segments of gravel - the contents of the soil larger than 2mm - are not available as nutrients for plants and also do not bond nutrients. It also referred to as coarse soil. ALl soil contents with on equivalence diameter of 2mm and smaller however, deliver nutrients for the plants themselves or bind nutrients for the plants. For example in the form of added fertiliser. This type fraction is considered as fine soil

Preparing soil samples

For preparation of agricultural soil samples for the analysis of nutrients, the VDLUFA demands in the book of methods volume 1 "analysis of soils" the seperation of coarse and fine soil.

for examination of radioactivity in the environment, the pre-treatment of the sample is described in DIN ISO 18589-2 radioactivity in environment- soil part 2

Also for examination of past polluted areas, the Federal Soil Protection and Past Contaminated Area Ordinance, assumes a separation at 2mm.

Environmental Monitoring in Landfill

2010-10-16T17:23:00.004+08:00

The impact of landfills on the local population is convinced Pollution S.r.I (Italy) to develop an analytical system for environmental pollution. Currently, surveys for environmental analysis are carried out discontinuously. Air samplers are taken at regular time intervals and canister are analysed in laboratory. As a results the absence of continuous monitoring and delayed response does not allow real time action and tracking of the pollutants.

Latest the HAPSITE GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry)system provides insights on the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in environmental hazardous waste treatment and industrial hygine. On site critical information can be achieved in fast and reliable way.

The process of continuous monitoring was then performed using portable micro gas-cinematographer (Vega-CG) and multi point sampler (vega-MPS) which also produced and distributed by Pollution S.r.I

Vega MPS has a function to send in sequence to Vega-GC the samples 'sucked' at different points inside or on the neighborhood of the landfill. This system consists in a network of pipes of inert material (PTFE) and the intake air is continuously pumped in each line to ensure fresh and not diluted samples. Between sampler and analyzer a concentrator EDU-3 from Airsense Analytics (Germany) has been placed to increase the sensitivity of the monitoring systems.

Using the MC-Plan software integrated in the computer of the Vega-GC, it is possible to record the chemical composition of the sampling point at the specific sampling time and to compare the concentration of each component with the TLV level (threshold limit value). If the threshold level is exceeded on one several points, an alert massage is sent by email or to the mobile phone through a remote PC to graphically display the concentration trend during last hour in order to perform a deep analysis.

Water Crisis - We Are Running Out of Water

2009-12-15T15:20:00.001+08:00

It is worrisome that we would be talking of water crisis, scarcity or problems when two-third of our world is composed of water. Of the whole bulk of water on earth, only 2.5 per cent is fresh and suitable for human and agricultural use. This makes usable water a finite resource. Of this 2.5 percent, 99 per cent is held up in icebergs, glaciers or underground. Only 1 per cent of freshwater is therefore available to the nearly 7 billion human population and a countless other forms of life.

This tiny fraction of freshwater is unevenly distributed throughout the world. So, some people have much, while others have almost none. In some countries like Nigeria and Mali, quantity is not a problem, but distribution and quality are. This is commonly so in developing nations.

Each year, about 3.575 million people die from water-related disease. Million of people die globally from poor sanitation and contaminated water. Ninety per cent of the victims are children. Over a third of the world's population is seriously affected by water and sanitation crisis.

While the world's population tripled in the 20th century, the use of renewable water resources has grown six-fold. Within the next fifty years, the world population will increase by another 40 to 50 %. This population growth, coupled with industrialization and urbanization, will result in an increasing demand for water and will have serious consequences on the environment. Thus, the water crisis would continue to heighten.

People Lacking Water

More than one out of six people lack access to safe drinking water, namely 1.1 billion people, and more than two out of six lack adequate sanitation, namely 2.6 billion people 3900 children die every day from water borne diseases. One must know that these figures represent only people with very poor conditions. In reality, these figures should be much higher.

As the resource is becoming scarce, tensions among different users may intensify, both at the national and international level. Over 260 river basins are shared by two or more countries. In the absence of strong institutions and agreements, changes within a basin can lead to trans-boundary tensions. When major projects proceed without regional collaboration, they can become a point of conflicts, heightening regional instability. The Parana La Plata, the Aral Sea, the Jordan and the Danube may serve as examples. Due to the pressure on the Aral Sea, a good proportion of the water has disappeared

Towards A Way to Improve the Situation

The water crisis witness today is not about having too little water to satisfy our needs but rather a crisis of bad management of water.

With the current state of affairs, corrective measures still can be taken to check the worsening situation. There is an increasing awareness that our freshwater resources are limited and need to be protected both in terms of quantity and quality. This water challenge affects not only the water community, but also decision-makers and every human being.

Whatever the use of freshwater (agriculture, industry, domestic use), huge saving of water and improving of water management is possible. Almost everywhere, water is wasted, and as long as people are not facing water scarcity, they believe access to water is an obvious and natural thing. With urbanization and changes in lifestyle and attitude, water consumption is bound to increase. However, changes in food habits, for example, may reduce the problem, knowing that growing 1kg of potatoes requires only 100 litres of water, whereas 1kg of beef requires 13 000 litres.

Trans-boundary Cooperation

As far as trans-boundary conflicts are concerned, regional economic development and cultural preservation can all be strengthened by states cooperating on water-related issues. Instead of a trend towards war, water management can be viewed as a trend towards cooperation and peace. Many initiatives are launched to avoid crises. Institutional commitments like in the Senegal River are created.

The water and sanitation crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns.

At any given time, half of the world's hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from a water-related disease.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fortune_Ihunweze

Grab Samplers for slow moving river or streams

2009-12-15T13:14:00.007+08:00

There are 3 types of grab samplers available

EakmanBottom Grab Samplers

The Ekman Bottom Grab sampler is designed for sampling in soft bottomed lakes and rivers composed of muck, mud or fine peat. As the sampler is lowered, two hinged upper lids swing open to let water pass through and close upon retrieval preventing sample washout. When the sampler reaches the bottom, a messenger is sent down the line tripping the overlapping spring-loaded scoops. Each sampler is constructed of 316 stainless steel including the springs, cables and fasteners. Also available is a 5 ft. and 10 ft. extension handle for operating the sampler in shallow water instead of a cable and messenger. The sampler is also available as a kit which includes stainless 300 gm messenger, 100 ft. cable and carrying case (ordered separately).

Ponar type grab samplers

The Ponar Type Grab sampler is a commonly used sampler that is very versatile for all types of hard bottoms such as sand, gravel and clay. It can be used in streams, lakes reservoirs and the ocean. This modified Van Veen type self-tripping sampler features center hinged jaws and a spring loaded pin that releases when the sampler makes impact with the bottom. It also includes an underlip attachment that cleans gravel from the jaws that would normally prevent lateral loss of sample. The top is covered with a stainless steel screen with neoprene rubber flaps which allows water to flow through for a controlled descent and less interference with the sample. It is constructed of stainless steel with zinc plated steel arms and weights. A simple pin prevents premature closing.

The Ponar style sampler comes in several sizes with the lightweight model (1/8" stainless plate) easily used from a small boat with nylon cable. The heavyweight models (1/4" stainless plate) should be used with a sounding reel.

Van Veen Grab Sampler

The Van Veen grab is a lightweight sampler designed to take large samples in soft bottoms. Its long lever arms and the sharp cutting edges on the bottom of the scoops, enable it to cut deeply into the softer bottoms. The Van Veen grab sampler is manufactured in two sizes from stainless steel. The weighted jaws, chain suspension, and doors and screens allow flow-through during lowering to the bottom and assure vertical descent where strong underwater currents exist. The relatively large surface area and the strong closing mechanism allow the jaws to excavate relatively undisturbed sediments. When the powering cable is slowly made taut, the chains attached at the top of the release exert great tension on the long arms extending beyond the jaws, causing them to lift, dip deeper into the sediment, and trap material as they tightly close. The stainless-steel, 583 micron, door screens have flexible rubber flaps which, during lowering, are lifted. When the grab settles on the bottom, the flaps fall back and cover the screens completely, preventing any loss of sediment during retrieval.

PCB in Fluoroscent Light

2009-12-10T15:14:00.000+08:00

PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) is commonly used as dielectric fluids in electrical equipment such as transformers and capacitors and can be found in metal-cased capacitors in fluorescent lights and it used worldwide.

Generally, short term exposure to PCB such as accidental spills or release of vapours due to overheating of the leaking capacitor does not lead to any long term health effects. however the accessive amounts of PCBs can cause irritation to the eyes and long term health problem with skin, hair and liver.

PCBs are listed as a human carninogen i.e; repeated exposure over a period of years may lead to cancer.

LIST OF MALAYSIA ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES

2009-10-08T01:38:00.002+08:00

Below are the handbooks and guidelines books published by Department of Environment Malaysia.

DOE Handbooks

Metal Finishing - Electroplating, 1999
Raw Natural Rubber Industry, 1999
Crude Palm Oil Industry, 1999
Textile and Clothing Industry, 2000
Food Industry - Noodle Process, 2000
Handbook for Legislators: A Guide to Air Pollution, 2003
Handbook for Legislators: A Guide to Water Quality, 2003

EIA Guidelines

EIA Guidelines For Coastal Resort Development Projects
EIA Guidelines For Petrochemical Industries
EIA Guidelines For Industrial Estate Development
Penilaian Kesan Kepada Alam Sekeliling Bagi Pembangunan Padang Golf
EIA Guidelines For Development Of Tourist And Recreational Facilities In National Park
EIA Guidelines For Development Of Tourist And Recreational Facilities On Island In Marine Parks
EIA Guildelines For Drainage and/or Irrigation Projects
EIA Guidelines For Fishing Harbours and/or Land Based Aquaculture Projects
EIA Guidelines For Dam and/or Reservoir Projects
EIA Guidelines For Coastal and Land Reclamation
EIA Guidelines For Agriculture
EIA Guidelines For Housing and Township Development Projects
EIA Guidelines For Risk Assessment
EIA Guidelines For Industrial Projects
EIA Guidelines For Toxic And Hazardous Waste Treatment And Disposal Projects
EIA Guidelines For Municipal Solid Waste And Sewage Treatment And Disposal Projects
A Handbook Of EIA Guidelines
Guidelines For Siting And Zoning Of Industries

Land / Industrial Development

Siting and Zoning of Industries, 1976 [revised 1994]
Prevention and Control of Soil Erosion and Siltation,1978 [revised 1996:1999]
Environmental Requirements : A Guide for Investors (1989) [reprint 1996;1999]
Interim guidelines for Controlled Burning of Felled Plant Materials and Combustible Solid Wastes from Housing Industry in the Klang Valley, 1991

Marine Enforcement Activities

Marine Pollution Enforcement Procedure

Manual of Monitoring Procedure

Manual of Marine Water Monitoring Procedure

National Contingency Planning

National Contingency Plan for Oil Spill Control

Ozone Depleting Substances

Control Measures for Protection of Ozone Layer, 1994
Project Preparation under the Multilateral Fund, 1995
Prequalifying and Selection Criteria for Acceptable Alternatives of Ozone Depleting Substances in Malaysia, 1995
Halon Directory
Siginificant New Alternatives List For Ozone Depleting Substances, 1999

Waste Management

Code of Practice for Service Stations, 1980 [revised 1993]
Explanatory Notes: Clean Air Requlations & You, 1980
Air Pollution Control measures in Palm Oil Mills, 1985 [revised 1997]
Erection of Fuel Burning Equipment, 1981
Collection, Transportation and Disposal of Solid Wastes, 1981
Best Practicable Means for Minimization of Offensive Odour from Fishmeal Factories, 1981
Best Practicable Means for Wood-based Industries, 1981
Application for Written Permission to Install Generators, 1982
Selection of Landfill Sites for Scheduled Wastes, 1985
Monitoring of Landfills for Scheduled Wastes, 1985
Scheduled Waste Sampling, 1985
Recommended Code of Practice for the Disposal of Solid Wastes on Land, 1985
Standard Methods For Analysis of Rubber and Palm Oil Mill Effluents [revised 1985]
Installation of Tee Pee and Package Type Incinerators, 1985
Stack Sampling, 1989
Private Investments in Toxic Hazardous Waste Disposal Facilities (Secured Landfills) 1989
Disposal of Asbestos Wastes 1993 [revised 1995]
Export of Scheduled Wastes, 1993
Storage of Scheduled Wastes, 1993
Interim Guidelines for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (Chemicals Not Otherwise Controlled) 1993
Import of Scheduled Wastes, 1994
Zero Burning of Felled Plant Materials, 1994
Open Burning of Felled Plant Materials (Agricultural Wastes) 1981, [revised 1994]
Management and Disposal of Wastes from Downstream Petroleum Industries, 1994
Management and Disposal Wastes from Upstream Petroleum Industries, 1994
Notification and Control Procedure for Movement of Waste between Singapore and Malaysia, 1995
Disposal of Asbestos Wastes 1993 [revised 1995]
Export, Import and Storage of Scheduled Wastes in Malaysia (CD ROM)
Implementation of the Basel Convention in Malaysia
Monitoring and Control of Pollution from Cement Plants, 1996
Air Emission Load Calculation, 2000
Disposal of Chemical Wastes from Laboratories, 2000
Applications for Licenses and Permits for Hazardous Activities, 1990
Processing Written Permission for Industrial Waste Water Treatment Systems, 2000

Environmnent and Politics

2009-09-08T01:23:00.001+08:00

The mixture of involvement of politician for any environment decision especially for development project is bad situation. From my opinion, there are still a number of politician always think about their focus on development and achievement. From this he can show the world that how good he is as a leader to develop their territory. Not all proposed development that there are planning is good for environment. Especially for development project on the fragile area (island, coral area, steep slopes) of course harm the environment, if not immediately, maybe long term. If there are mitigation measures, sometimes it not really help and the impact for the environment is still bad.

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is approved even while the environment is at a terrible loss? How could such body, supposedly to take care of the environment, gave a green light even as the coral reef system is being threatened unnecessarily?

The same thing happened to Broga. The EIA allowed the construction of the incinerator despite the knowledge that the incinerator site is in a proven water catchments area.

Perhaps the libertarian’s common belief is entirely true; one cannot trust the government.

DEALING WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

2009-07-20T23:10:00.001+08:00

Dealing with many government agencies in order to get the genuine information during the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) research and is one of the major task for Environmental Scientist. That's why being an Environmental Scientist is not like you sit on the pc all the time. Good PR and communication is also require to ensure the effectiveness of work.

Environmental Auditing

2009-07-19T23:00:00.000+08:00

One of my favorite work task is doing environmental auditing at the construction site. Depends on the site, weather it conducted fortnightly, monthly or quarterly.

I'll explain the scope of auditing later but anyway doing the environmental auditing required important person from the site to present during the auditing session to explain the current construction stage.

So far I experience doing environmental auditing at

1- Road upgrading construction site
2. Utilities Installation
3. Building
4. Earthwork
5. Port

Video

2009-07-17T14:30:00.000+08:00

Watch the glan canyon issue

Is the nuclear energy the answer?

2009-07-16T11:23:00.000+08:00

Depending what you useit for, nuclear energy can be good (or bad). If you use it for peaceful purposes, then I am all for it. If it is making weapons, missiles and other things, then this is the wrong use for it.

My only concern is with nuclear energy itself and all the hazards associated, environmental and health, and the cost involved. Today with the climate change, nuclear energy is not the answer. Renewable sources of energy, changing lifestyle and sustainable development is part of the answer as well the energy efficiency and energy conservation

Nuclear energy is not a clean source. That is a terrible fallacy. Why? The use of nuclear energy is what do we do to dispose of radioactive waste, which lasts for thousands and thousands of years. Plutonium has a half-life of 24,000 years! What is that? 240 centuries, 24 millennia. If prehistoric man started out with nuclear energy, today we would still be managing his waste. Here we are talking about radioactive waste forever

My greatest concern is the disposable of radioactive waste. Secondly, there are so many fallacies about the cost of nuclear energy. Nobody can say it cheap.

To have an energy mix between all sort of energy is must as depletion of fossil fuel, we will not have the energy we need. Of course we can reduce the pressure of the demand for energy through prudent use and becoming more efficient.

Water Crisis - We Are Running Out of Water

2009-07-15T15:20:00.000+08:00

People Lacking Water
More than one out of six people lack access to safe drinking water, namely 1.1 billion people, and more than two out of six lack adequate sanitation, namely 2.6 billion people 3900 children die every day from water borne diseases. One must know that these figures represent only people with very poor conditions. In reality, these figures should be much higher.

Towards A Way to Improve the Situation
The water crisis witness today is not about having too little water to satisfy our needs but rather a crisis of bad management of water.

Trans-boundary Cooperation
As far as trans-boundary conflicts are concerned, regional economic development and cultural preservation can all be strengthened by states cooperating on water-related issues. Instead of a trend towards war, water management can be viewed as a trend towards cooperation and peace. Many initiatives are launched to avoid crises. Institutional commitments like in the Senegal River are created.

Water Crisis Facts
43% of water-related deaths are due to diarrhea.
84% of water-related deaths are in children ages 0 - 14.
98% of water-related deaths occur in the developing world.
884 million people, lack access to safe water supplies, approximately one in eight people.
The water and sanitation crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns.
At any given time, half of the world's hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from a water-related disease.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fortune_Ihunweze

Storm Drain Seal Covers

2009-07-14T15:16:00.000+08:00

Storm water (air hujan) can be a serious threat to the environment. That's especially the case if the water is draining from areas like parking lots, car repair shops, or any type of industrial facility, where hydrocarbons, oils, or chemicals might have leaked and are sitting on the ground. During a storm, oily and chemical residues will be swept up in the run-off, which then drains into the ground water - Unless something is done to prevent that from happening.

And what can be done to keep the groundwater safe? The storm drains in the critical areas can be covered. And now, a new generation of storm drain seal covers make that task very easy and economical.

A new generation of storm drain seal covers:

For example, there's the new Drain Cover Seal & Spill Stopper and Blocker II, which has a feature that makes it even more versatile and easier to apply than the regular kind: It's reversible.

These covers are made out of tough and tacky polyurethane without any fillers whatsoever. It's the fact that they're tacky on both sides that makes them reversible - and with that they can create a durable seal no matter which side you're using.

Easy to keep handy:

They're also much lighter in weight than traditional products, so you can keep them handy and use them at a moment's notice in the event of chemical spill emergencies.

Can be reused:

But their useful life doesn't end with one use. After washing them and replacing the plastic film they originally came with, you can roll them on the tube and put them right back into their original container. And with that, they will be ready for action when another spill should occur.

Resistant to chemicals:

Rubbers and plastics can disintegrate when they come into contact with certain chemicals. Polyurethane is resistant to a much wider range of chemicals, solvents, and oils. That makes seal covers made out of polyurethane the ideal solution for protecting the environment from solvents, oils and chemicals.

Drain cover seal protectors are also available in a range of sizes, from 18 inches all the way to 48 inches, to provide customized protection for any size drain covers. They are available in round as well as in square versions. In addition, customized seal protectors are also available.

How large should storm drain seal covers be? A good rule of thumb: Seals should be 6" larger than the drains they are designed to cover. So do a little survey and tally up the sizes you'll need to be prepared.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Travis_Zdrazil

Environmnetal Career

2009-07-14T00:48:00.000+08:00

Graduates in environmental science can appear for either work with both governmental and non-governmental organizations. Working with NGOs will give you rewarding exposure in the study of specific projects, issues, places and people. At an NGO you can be employed as Project manager, project officer, environmnetal manager, environmental scientist/engineer/consultant. Entry level positions (degree level)will fetch you a salary of RM1800-RM2500 per month. Government also recruits environmental officer (Pegawai Kawalan Alam Sekitar) from to time in different especially for Department of environment.

Working in environmental related sector required you to have strong interest in environmental and public health issues. You must also be passionate about building a career in environmental advocacy and organizing. You should be highly motivated and capable of leading a team. Not only that, you also have to deals with a variety of issues like pollution, oil spills and toxic waste. They are also involved in designing recycling or waste management systems. anyhow this career not required you to have qualification in Environmental science, the most important thing is you passionate about wildlife and committed to the conservation of the environment. The truth is that only specialized individuals can understand the issues involved in the protection and preservation of the environment!

Water Pollution

2009-07-13T08:38:00.000+08:00

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater caused by human activities, which can be harmful to organisms and plants that live in these water bodies. It occurs when pollutants are discharged directly into water bodies without treating it first.

Although natural phenomena such as volcanoes, storms, earthquakes etc.

also cause major changes in water quality and the ecological status of water, these are not deemed to be pollution.

Water pollution has many causes and characteristics.

Increases in nutrient loading may lead to eutrophication.

Organic wastes such as sewage and farm waste impose high oxygen demands on the receiving water leading to oxygen depletion with potentially severe impacts on the whole eco-system.

Industries discharge a variety of pollutants in their wastewater including heavy metals, organic toxins, oils, nutrients, and solids.

Discharges can also have thermal effects, especially those from power stations, and these too reduce the available oxygen.

Silt-bearing runoff from many activities including construction sites, forestry and farms can inhibit the penetration of sunlight through the water column restricting photosynthesis and causing blanketing of the lake or river bed which in turns damages the ecology..

Air Pollution

2009-07-12T09:08:00.000+08:00

Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damages the natural environment, into the atmosphere.

The atmosphere is a complex, dynamic natural gaseous system that is essential to support life on planet Earth. Stratospheric ozone depletion due to air pollution has long been recognized as a threat to human health as well as to the Earth's ecosystems.

Smoke is one of the source cause the air pollution. Smoke is a suspension in air (aerosol) of small particles resulting from incomplete combustion of a fuel.

It is commonly an unwanted by-product of fires (including stoves and lamps) and fireplaces, but may also be used for pest control (fumigation), communication (smoke signals), defense (smoke-screen) or inhalation of tobacco or other drugs.

Smoke is sometimes used as a flavouring agent and preservative for various foodstuffs.

Smoke is also sometimes a component of internal combustion engine exhaust gas, particularly diesel exhaust. Smoke inhalation is the primary cause of death in victims of indoor fires.

The smoke kills by a combination of thermal damage, poisoning and pulmonary irritation caused by carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and other combustion products..

Landslide Bukit Antarabangsa.. Malaysia never learn

2009-07-10T15:50:00.000+08:00

The quiet in Taman Bukit Mewah and Taman Bukit Utama in Bukit Antarabangsa was shattered by the sound of strong wind and an explosion just before the landslide hit the neighbourhood in the wee hours of the morning, according to an eyewitness.

Businessman Hassan Saad, 48, said he was watching television in his sitting room at 3.30am when he heard what sounded like strong wind but when he looked out, the air was still and the trees were not swaying.

He returned to watching the TV but suddenly he heard an explosion like that of a bomb. He ran out of the house and saw the earth sliding down the hillslope and hitting his neighbour's house in front.

Hassan said he shouted to wake up his family and alert his neighbours to run for their lives. His family of 10, including his mother-in-law and two cousins managed to run to safety.

Hassan, who has been living there for 15 years, said it was the first time that such a thing had happened in the area.

"Last month, eight trees fell on the hillslop about 20m behind my house and I informed the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) about it.

"They came and chopped the trees. I thought that everything was okay then," he told reporters at the scene.

Another resident, Lian Wan Jian of Taman Bukit Mewah, said he heard two loud noises and thought that it was an earthquake.

He said he was still awake at that time but his wife and two children were jolted from their sleep by the noises.

When he opened the door to run out, he and his family saw the force of the earth movement lifting the cars and felt his house being pushed towards the neighbour's house.

He and his family, however, managed to run to safety.

"Maybe we we were able to save ourselves because our house is at the end (of the row)," he said at the centre for the victims at the Addinniah surau in Taman Bukit Mewah.

Meanwhile, a man who wanted to be known only as Chong, said his daughter and two-month-old grandchild were buried alive in the landslide while his son was still missing as at 9am.

He said he visited them last night and had gone home at 11pm but was told by a neighbour's son that his son's house had been buried in the landslide.

The place was in chaos and hundreds of residents were unable to get out of the area because the only road leading out was jam-packed with buldozers, fire engines, ambulances and trucks and the security forces invovled in the search and rescue operation.

Residents trying to flee the area also contributed to the jam. - Bernama

Look out for sign of slope failure

2009-07-10T14:49:00.000+08:00

There are four main types of landslides, namely slides, which are most common in Malaysia, topples, rock falls and debris flows also known as mud flows. Factor can trigger landslides are intense and prolonged rainfall as well as shocks or vibration such as seismic activity.

Public should look out for signs such as water or earth bulging appearing at the base of a slope or retaining wall as well as tension crack at the ground surface.
other sign are small stones falling from the slope surface, tilting the fences, retaining walls, utility poles and even tree. sign to watch for around the buildings are cracks appearing the ground or in the foundation of houses and other structures as well as soil moving away from the foundation. Door and windows that stick or become jammed for the first time are also considered as warning sign as well as appearance of springs, seeps or saturated grounds on the areas that have not typically been wet before

Noise Pollution

2009-07-09T08:54:00.000+08:00

Noise pollution is a type of energy pollution in which distracting, irritating, or damaging sounds are freely audible. As with other forms of energy pollution (such as heat and light pollution), noise pollution contaminants are not physical particles, but rather waves that interfere with naturally-occurring waves of a similar type in the same environment. Thus, the definition of noise pollution is open to debate, and there is no clear border as to which sounds may constitute noise pollution. In the most narrow sense, sounds are considered noise pollution if they adversely affect wildlife, human activity, or are capable of damaging physical structures on a regular, repeating basis. In the broadest sense of the term, a sound may be considered noise pollution if it disturbs any natural process or causes human harm, even if the sound does not occur on a regular basis.

The prevailing source of artificial noise pollution is from transportation. In rural areas, train and airplane noise can disturb wildlife habits, thereby affecting the manner in which animals in areas around train tracks and airports hunt and mate. In urban areas, automobile, motorcycle, and even entertainment noise can cause sleep disruption in humans and animals, hearing loss, heart disease (as a result of stress), and in severe cases even mental instability. A notable exception to the rule is the electric, or hybrid-electric, automobile. Hybrid vehicles are so quite, in fact, that legislation is pending to actually make them louder. This is in response to numerous injuries in which pedestrians, unaware of a hybrid vehicle's presence, have been struck by such vehicles in parking lots and pedestrian crosswalks.

My Interview Experience

2009-07-07T16:57:00.000+08:00

I was experience attending quite a number of interview for 'environmental related' position in various sectors such corporate, factory, consultant, laboratory. Here some tips that may useful to share with all of you:

1. Normal 1st question will be ask for any interview - Tell me about yourself

2.Why you want to work here.

To answer this question, you will need to have researched the company. Reply with the company's attributes as you see them. Cap your answer with reference to your belief that the company can provide you with a stable and happy work environment--the company has that reputation--and that such an atmosphere would encourage your best work.

"I'm not looking for just another pay check. I enjoy my work and am proud of my profession. Your company produces a superior product/provides a superior service. I share the values that make this possible, which should enable me to fit in and complement the team."

You might continue with "I really liked everything about the job. The reason I want to leave it is to find a position where I can make a greater contribution. You see, I worked for a large company that encourages specialisation of skills. The smaller environment you have here will, allow me to contribute far more in different areas." Tell them what they want to hear--replay the hot button.

3. "What are your biggest accomplishments?"

Keep your answers job related. You might begin your reply with: "Although I feel my biggest achievements are still ahead of me, I am proud of my involvement with . . . I made my contribution as apart of that team and learned a lot in the process. We did it with hard work, concentration, and an eye for the bottom line."

4 "Can you work under pressure?"

You might be tempted to give a simple "yes" or "no" answer, but don't. It reveals nothing, and you lose the opportunity to sell your skills and value profiles. Actually, this common question often comes from an unskilled interviewer, because it is closed-ended. As such, the question does not give you the chance to elaborate. Whenever you are asked a closed-ended question, mentally add: "Please give me a brief yet comprehensive answer." Do this, and you will give the information requested and seize an opportunity to sell yourself. For example, you could say: "Yes, I usually find it stimulating. However, I believe in planning and proper management of my time to reduce panic deadlines within my area of responsibility."

5. "Why should I hire you?"

Your answer should be short and to the point. It should highlight areas from your background that relate to current needs and problems. Recap the interviewer's description of the job, meeting it point by point with your skills. Finish your answer with: "I have the qualifications you need [itemize them], I'm a team player, I take direction, and I have the desire to make a thorough success."

6. "How do you take direction?"

The interviewer wants to know whether you are open - minded and can be a team player. Can you follow directions or are you a difficult, high-maintenance employee? Hopefully, you are a low-maintenance professional who is motivated to ask clarifying questions about a project before beginning, and who then gets on with the job at hand, coming back to initiate requests for direction as circumstances dictate.

This particular question can also be defined as "How do you take direction?" and "How do you accept criticism?" Your answer should cover both points: "I take direction well and recognise that it can come in two varieties, depending on the circumstances. There is carefully explained direction, when my boss has time to lay things out for me in detail; then there are those times when, as a result of deadlines and other pressures, the direction might be brief and to the point. While I have seen some people get upset with that, personally I've always understood that there are probably other considerations I am not aware of. As such, I take the direction and get on with the job without taking offense, so my boss can get on with their job. It's the only way."

7 "Do you prefer working with others or alone?"

This question is usually used to determine whether you are a team player. Before answering, however, be sure you know whether the job requires you to work alone - then answer appropriately. Perhaps: "I'm quite happy working alone when necessary. I don't need much constant reassurance. But I prefer to work in a group--so much more gets achieved when people pull together."

Interview experience

2009-07-06T16:09:00.000+08:00

OK.. for anyone who graduated in environmental science, here some career path for your guideline. This is based on my observation and my past experience. Any lack of information please correct me!:

1) Environmental Consultant
Position: Environmental Scientist or Environmental Engineer
Scope of work: To consult cl1ents (contractor or industry) regarding environment requirement *
I'll explain on this later.

2) Contractor
Position: Environmental Executive
Scope of work: Implements all environmental requirements at site

Position: Safety Officer
Scope of work: Implements all safety requirements at site. Thist position normally
required you to get safety qualification from NIOSH-DOSH

3) Laboratory
Position: Environmental Scientist or Executive
Scope of work: Site and lab work such sampling and lab analysis

4) Safety Consultant
Position: Environmetal Scientist or Executive
Scope of work: To consult cl1ents (contractor or industry) regarding environment
requirement *

How efficient the EIA report

2009-07-06T09:46:00.000+08:00

Have we placed undue expectation on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system as an environmental safeguard? Rightly or wrongly, many have come to rely on the EIA to be the shield against adverse impacts of development. To a great extent especially for would-be affected communities, the EIA is deemed their only chance of stopping an undesirable project. Department of Environment is the the government agency tasked to enforce Section 34A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 which gave birth to the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities) Environmental Impact Assessment Order 1987 – has unwittingly become the Department of Everything, when its power is so limited.

While many agree that EIA is a planning tool to assist developers to avoid negative impacts on the environment, most concur that project proponents are more concerned about fulfilling a legal requirement to get the project going. From my point of view, EIA did not originate to support a project but to aid informed decision-making. Because the consultant is paid by project proponent maybe its the was to 'jaga the periuk nasi' to make sure their company growing.

There is consultant has suggested unrealistic mitigation measures when there is no proven technology or successful cases to support it.

How to solve this problem? Maybe DOE and the EIA consultant should sign a contract as equal clients that give sufficient clout to DOE to demand for unbiased assessment. Or maybe make it mandatory for project consultants to respond to public comments and publish comments of review panel for meaningful public participation

Landlslide... Malaysia never learn?

2009-07-04T15:29:00.000+08:00

Landslide in Malaysia 2008

Dec 4 - 300 people were forced to evacuate two buildings when a landslide caused part of the retaining wall of a car park to collapse in Jalan Semantan, Kuala Lumpur.

Nov 30 - Two sisters were buried alive when a landslide hit their bungalow in Ulu Yam Perdana near Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor.

Oct 22 - Tonnes of earth came crashing down a hill onto the grounds of the Taman Terubong Jaya apartments in Butterworth where over 1,000 residents were staying.

Oct 19 - Four families evacuated from houses along the banks of Sungai Kayu Ara in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, after landslide there.

Oct 17 - Two Indonesians were killed after they were buried alive by tonnes of sand in a landslide in Ganesan Quarry, Hulu Langat near Kajang, Selangor.

Oct 15 - A landslide after a downpour at Pinggir Bukit Segar, Cheras, Selangor caused a family to move out as they feared for their safety.

Sept 6 - Roads from the George Town to Teluk Bahang and Balik Pulau in Penang were cut off due to landslides and fallen trees.

Jan 17 - Two foreign workers were killed after they were buried in a landslide while working at a plantation in Cameron Highlands.