Residents of Mushrefa and Bani Malik districts here claim that the toxic gases from a nearby asphalt factory are causing lung cancer, chest allergies and related respiratory problems. However, Brig. Abdullah Jeddawi, Director of the Civil Defense in Jeddah, said factories in the city's residential areas cannot be shifted elsewhere because the Industrial Cities Authority does not have enough land to accommodate them. Ahmad Al-Ottaibi, a resident, said he is one of hundreds of residents who lodged complaints with the Civil Defense authorities more than five years ago about the danger posed by this factory, Al-Hayat Arabic daily newspaper said. He alleged that Jeddawi had promised residents several times that the factory owner was given a last warning and would move. However, nothing has happened so far. Al-Ottaibi said it was “amazing” that the owner has not even been penalized once in all the years he has polluted the area. He said many other factories have already moved from the area. Abdullah Al-Yami, another resident, said Bani Malik is considered a safe haven by many factory owners because nothing is done about the complaints of the residents. He said the heavy equipment and machinery are a source of air and noise pollution and are often operated after business hours. He called on the Civil Defense to intensify its monitoring of these businesses. “Believe it or not, the asphalt factory has been operating for more than 25 years. Doctors believe that one of the main causes of the spread of lung cancer in the district is the toxic emissions of the factory,” he said. He said this situation is aggravated by a military complex and fuel station located nearby.
