The Straits Times
Sri Lanka grills crew of burning cargo ship as it assesses ecological damage
Tonnes of microplastic granules from the ship and its nearly 1,500 containers have inundated Sri Lanka s famed beaches.PHOTO: REUTERS
Updated3 hours ago
https://str.sg/3kbp
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A sampling program by the NSW Environment Protection Authority has not yet substantiated long held suspicions that cotton chemicals are damaging the vegetation west of Dubbo.
By Ifham Nizam
Air samples had revealed that air pollution level is high due to the fumes from the fire aboard the MV X-Press Pearl in the seas off the Colombo Harbour, a senior marine scientist said.
Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) General Manager Dr. Terney Pradeep Kumara told
The Island yesterday that their priority was to save the ship and prevent pollution.
Dr. Kumara said that air and water samples were being collected regularly to monitor pollution levels. The National Aquatic Resources Agency (NARA) will shortly commence investigations into the biodiversity aspect.
Discussions were underway with the foreign experts, insurance agents and the local agent of the ship ‘X-PRESS PEARL’, registered under the Singapore flag, Dr. Kumara said, adding things were under control.
The Byron Shire Council says it’s still working with the NSW Environment Protection Authority
(EPA) on a contamination investigation at the Butler Street Reserve, home to what used to be a tip.
Authorities are checking the Byron Bay site for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS.
Byron Shire Council Acting Director Infrastructure Services Phil Warner said via a media release this week testing was ongoing and the reserve would stay closed until results were in and the EPA had approved an Environmental Management Plan.
The reserve was closed in July 2019 when work on the Byron Bay bypass started and at that time was due to reopen when the bypass was finished.