Toxic wastes found in Quezon

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) discovered at least 90 large drums and blue plastic containers of acid wastes in an agricultural property in Candelaria, Quezon last Wednesday.

The improperly sealed steel drums and plastic containers of mixed chemicals such as paint sludge and sulfuric acid were found abandoned in pits on the property owned by a certain Roger Genova in Barangay Mangilag Norte, said Nilo Tamoria, director of the DENR’s Special Concerns Office.

"We took samples for testing to determine the exact composition of these substances. But definitely, these are toxic and hazardous," he said.

The DENR acted on residents’ complaints about a foul odor coming from Genova’s property since the chemicals were dumped there two weeks ago. — Katherine Adraneda