WHETHER the Lynas go-ahead had to do with samurai bonds or because Japanese corporations have a stake in its operations is a different matter, and anybody’s guess. The gist of the argument in my preceding piece was whether the risks in allowing the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) to continue work are worth it. This article looks at some of the arguments pertaining to health issues.

According to public statements by Lynas Malaysia officials and the government, the plant’s operations are safe and comply with regulations. A list of Lynas frequently asked questions issued by the Prime Minister’s Office last week to allay fears was a bit odd, acting like public relations for the company. The 14-point infographic has now gone offline.

In ionising radiation, there is no such thing as “deemed safe”. What these officials mean – often cleverly twisted as a PR stance – is compliance with regulatory bodies, such as the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) and Environment Department, and local government regulations. They’ve cited International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials’ visits to LAMP to lend credence to their assurance.

IAEA promotes the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and helps manage radiation risks. It plays no role in determining nitty-gritty matters like whether people exposed to the hazards could get cancer, the socio-economic implications, or the opportunity cost. Explicitly put, IAEA’s visits and compliance with its guidelines do not mean LAMP’s operations are safe. When dealing with ionising radiation, nothing is. In fact, Lynas Malaysia, since 2010, has not complied with regulations on storing toxic waste safely.

The refining of rare earth ores uses sulfuric acid to leach out rare earth elements, leaving behind acidic waste, thorium, and a lesser amount of uranium, known as water leach purification (WLP) residue, which is radioactive. The thorium waste has an ionising radiation effect that is almost perpetual. The half-life – the period of time it takes for a substance to lose 50% of its radioactivity – of thorium is 14 billion years. Thorium can enter the body through the inhalation of contaminated dust, known as radionuclides, absorption through the skin, and ingestion through the food chain.

Even though the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has not found sufficient evidence to classify thorium at mines as carcinogenic, it does not mean it’s not. Ionising radiation has been discovered to be accumulative in the body. The Fazel et al study (2009) found that repeated exposure to ionising radiation from medical imaging could, over time, accumulate to a cancer-causing dose.

Observational studies have shown a link between workers breathing in thorium dust and cancer. Chen et al (2003), a 20-year follow-up study on mine workers, found that long-term exposure to thorium dust has an effect on lung cancer. In the past, when thorium was injected into the body for the purpose of taking special X-rays, it led to pancreatic cancer. Thorium gets stored in the bones, and therefore, has the potential to cause bone cancer.

Although there has been no vigorous study to show the cause and effect of thorium exposure and cancer, observational studies have pointed to a possible connection. As ionising radiation from any substance – thorium included – is known to cause cancer depending on the dose and exposure period, and has been shown to be accumulative, saying the operations at LAMP are safe gives a false picture of the whole scenario.

There is a difference between ionising and non-ionising radiation. Officials arguing for LAMP’s continued operations often mention that we are exposed daily to radiation from the sun’s rays, ultraviolet and infrared radiation, microwaves and radio waves. These are non-ionising radiation, and have very little to no risk of causing cancer. However, there have been many observational studies showing microwaves’ link to cancer. Non-ionising radio-frequency radiation was listed in Group 2B (Possibly carcinogenic to humans) by IARC in 2011. Some researchers feel this should be changed to Group 2A (Probably carcinogenic to humans) or even Group 1 (Carcinogenic to humans).

Now that AELB has issued a six-month extension to Lynas Malaysia, it is imperative that priority is given to ensure the pile of WLP radioactive residue, now towering at more than 20m, is shipped to another country. It is impossible to find a suitable location for a permanent disposal facility anywhere in Malaysia due to our wet climate and high subsoil water level. In the meantime, a rigorous study must be conducted to monitor health and environmental issues, including the physical condition of LAMP workers and people living in the surrounding areas. – September 12, 2019.

* Captain Dr Wong Ang Peng is a researcher with an interest in economics, politics, and health issues. He has a burning desire to do anything within his means to promote national harmony. Captain Wong is also a member of the National Patriots Association.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.