3 44 Ha r m fr o m Toxi c Ch e m i c a l s
Organizing against radiation poisoning
Asian Rare Earth Company, owned partly by Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan,
ran a factory for 10 years in the village of Bukit Merah, Malaysia, to produce a
rare metal that was used to make the red colors in television screens.
The factory dumped radioactive waste in the village and many villagers
suffered cancers and birth defects caused by the radiation. The factory had
not fenced off the waste site, posted any warning signs, or taken any other
measures to reduce harm to the villagers.
Community residents brought a lawsuit against the company to shut down
the factory. Along with the lawsuit, they held many public protests that were
widely reported on local radio and television. After 7 years, a Malaysian court
ordered Asian Rare Earth to close its plant in Bukit Merah and remove all its
radioactive waste and toxic chemicals.
By using public protest, media, and lawsuits, the villagers prevented further
health problems by forcing the factory to shut down.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012