Low level of arsenic found in Perak’s Sungai Rui

IPOH (April 4): State authorities here have found a low level of arsenic in water samples taken from Sungai Rui in Hulu Perak, reported The Star today.

But Perak Education, Science, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Dr Abdul Aziz Bari said the amount was not considered alarming, and that the state was taking measures to prevent the situation from becoming serious.

"The pH level shows the presence of heavy metal, particularly a small amount of arsenic. This is inevitable as the mining operation is not an illegal operation or that we lacked enforcement,” he told the daily.

Dr Abdul Aziz also explained that “the presence of arsenic likely occurred from an imbalance in the natural eco-system due to nearby tin mining activities”.

"It's just that the operation has disturbed the balance of nature," he added.

He also revealed that there had been reports of skin cancer among the villagers who are living near Sungai Rui.

"To my understanding, the villages near the river have piped water supplies. We suspect it is related, due to the presence of the heavy metal but how do they get the cancer, we are not sure.

"I have no further information on this but will get more details later," he added.