Besides suffering from the unbearable stench overnight, villagers have also found yellow powdery spots around their neighbourhood in Bukit Koman, Raub, where gold-mining activities using cyanide, a hazardous chemical, started three years ago.
The unusual yellow dots have further escalated the fears of Bukit Koman villagers, who have been suffering skin, eyes and respiratory illnesses for the past few years.
According to the latest blog posting by Bukit Koman anti-cyanide committee member Liew Kou Yoong, 76, the yellow powdery dots were also found on his car, at the house gate and on the ground around the house.
Another villager, Chong Pei Har, found the yellow spots, measuring up to 8mm in diameter, on his car last Saturday afternoon.
According to the blog, since the commencement of the gold-mining activities, birds such as pigeons and crows, and lizards, and vegetables cultivated in the neighbourhood have been found dead.
Villagers suspect the unexplained deaths, the stench of herbicide during the night, and the illnesses, are the results of cyanide pollution.
Committee chairperson Wong Kin Hoong (right) told Malaysiakini that the yellow spots may be residue from emissions from the mining operations.
Depending on the wind direction, the yellow dots are usually spotted on the ground, house roofs, cars and house gates after it had rained, he said.
Although the phenomenon had happened in the past, Wong explained that it only caught the attention of the villagers recently
They had since notified their local representatives and the health department.
Air pollution detected by devices
“If we can confirm the powdery dots are from the gasses emitted from the mine, it may be helpful in our court case,” Wong said, adding that the villagers had sent the yellow powdery substance to the laboratory to determine its components and origin.
On March 21, 2008, four representatives of the residents including Wong, had filed a suit against the gold-mining activity, which is now before the courts.
…more
Villagers fear for their health over cyanide pollution
Mar 19, 2012 – Malaysiakini
For A Better Malaysia 