The New Straits Times, July 23, 2000
THE hazy days are here again? Although we have been reminded that it is only temporary and there is no cause for alarm (NST, July 17), the experiences of mid-1997 is a much stronger reminder of how things can take a turn for the worst.
Moreover, the move by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment not to publicise the Air Pollution Index (API) is reminiscent of the days when situation actually reached a nadir.
This decision is rather strange considering that in science, quantification using figures is invariably a norm. Quoting the API figure would speak volumes, giving the public a clearer picture as to the actual situation so that they can act to safeguard their health accordingly.
The absence of API is a sure invitation for the public to resort to their own guessing games, based on what they see and experience at the point in time.
For example, many cannot help but notice the "unusual" poor visibility around them, or the rather "unusual" orangy appearance of sun throughout the day.
In fact, in at least in one State, Penang, all outdoor school activities have been suspended on instructions from the State Education Department since the last week. Why these "unusual" events, if things are quite normal?
On the contrary, all these "experiences" are indicative that something is not quite right in the air. This tends to add to the belief that the air is indeed being polluted. How polluted only the API can tell for sure.
In times like this, the emission from motor vehicles becomes an increasingly important contributory factor. According to the Selangor Government, early last month, "One of the main reasons for air pollution was emission of smoke from vehicles", namely commercial ones. containing hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide and particulates (NST, June 7).
Each of these substances is clearly potential health risk, more so if one is exposed to them for a prolong period of time.
With respest to such risks, the American Lung Association (ALA) has issued smog "report cards" for cities across the US, where 132 million Americans live.
Based on the ALA report nearly half of the cities investigated were given a fail grade: "F". Cities in California are some of the urban areas that received "F" grades based on the number of days an area's air quality exceeded unhealthy levels. The report said, "Smog is not just a problem confined to a few big cities _ this is a problem that cuts across the entire nation."
Could this be the case for Malaysia too?
Commercial vehicles such as buses and heavy trucks have been named as the culprits.
Based on the ALA report, petroleum and chemical plants seem to contribute to a city's "F" grade.
On top of this, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced sweeping new anti-pollution measures that would drastically reduce emissions from trucks and buses. One of the aims is to eliminate "a significant percentage of the carcinogens and asthma-inducing inhalants currently poisoning the national atmosphere".
Like the US EPA, we too should have the courage to take a long view on pollution, with the objective of improving air quality and protecting the health of the public.
Earlier this year a plan to ask petrol companies to cut sulphur content in diesel fuel even further was announced (NST, Jan 15). It recognises that sulphur is one of the dominant pollutants in the atmosphere, apart from others such as carbon monoxide.
Pollutants such as sulphur dioxide in the atmopshere have been known to cause acid rain. It makes the air more acidic, especially in urban areas. This is in turn, affects the water in rivers, ponds, water reserves and even causes damage to property. This is made worse because high-sulphur fuel is not only used for motor vehicles, but for also many industrial activities and power generation.
It was noted that the Transport Ministry too supports the recommendation to reduce the sulphur content in diesel fuel. The fact that petroleum companies are reported to have agreed to the as-yet undisclosed new level, gives hope that things will change for the better.
The long-term objective is to reduce the level to 0.05 per cent which is the current world trend. But unfortunately little has been heard of it since.
Curbing pollution is an unenviable task for the authorities, but a necessary one in view of the impact on the health of our citizens. As demonstrated by the American Lung Association (ALA) smog "report cards", pollution can threaten millions, especially youngsters, and put many others at risk.
Notwithstanding this, it can be tough going to persuade profit-driven agricultural, industrial, manufacturing and services sectors to assist in pollution control.
This is exactly what the public should be watchful about and show concern for in the uphill battle to ensure a clear and salubarious air.
They need to make everyone realise the point that what is deferred today would cost more tomorrow to rectify. At times it is even impossible to do so, and we stand to lose the natural heritage that is rightfully ours. Thus we must insist that regulatory controls should be put in place and implemented without fear or favour. Knowing the API is certainly a constructive attempt to this end.
The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development has set an unenviable record of implementing a policy that is swift and decisive with respect to the fare, despite its apparent unpopularity among the many sectors of the consumers.
In a similar vein, can the consumers expect with similar swiftness and firmness the implementation of pollution control, although this may not be popular among the errant polluters?
This should include motor vehicle exhaust emissions, as well as others involved in scheduled waste, untreated effluent discharge, oil spills and of course open burning.
Malaysia, as a champion of environmental issues on a global level, must see to it that her own backyard is kept clean.
