Heavy metals in Malaysia

Heavy metal pollution of surface soils due to intense industrialization and urbanization has become serious concern in many developing countries (Mireles, et al. 2012). Like others developing country, where the uncontrolled growth of industrial and commercial sector where factories, mining, quarries, chemical processing and manufacturing will somehow lead to pollution. Malaysia also will face the same problem if the concern about the environment is not taking care of.  

 In Malaysia, most of the study on heavy metal is done on surface water, marine life, tourism area and landfill. Studies reported by several researchers (Ramlan and Badri 1989) shows that concentration of heavy metal in soils and street dust contain significantly higher amount of Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd compare to the soil underneath it. Major heavy metal pollutants in surface water includes Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu, As, Zn, and Se (Deparment of Environmental Malaysia 1997)