BUTTERWORTH: A steel factory in the Prai Industrial Area here, accused of causing air pollution affecting nearby residents, will not be allowed to operate until it responds to the notice issued by the Penang Department of Environment.
State DoE Director Norazizi Adinan said the factory was issued an operational suspension order after a team from the department, along with state Housing and Environment Committee Chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, conducted a surprise inspection at the premises yesterday.
"As such, the factory cannot operate until the notice is responded to and any necessary corrective measures have been put in place by the factory.
"A short-term and long-term compliance planning must also be submitted by the factory as stated by the state executive council member," he said when contacted.
Norazizi said the department would verify the measures taken before the factory is allowed to operate.
The factory, he said, was found not to be a major contributor to air pollution in the area.
It was reported that the steel factory in question was directed to submit periodic reports within three months to assist the Penang DoE investigation into claims of air pollution reported by nearby residents.
It is believed that the iron dust came from a factory located within a radius of 100m from residents' homes.
Sundarajoo said that they could not determine the exact cause of the air pollution, but because the dust contained metal content that could be magnetised, we believed it was from the nearby steel factory.