The Meteorological Department has denied using strong chemicals for cloud seeding, leading to rain which can have a negative effect on human skin.

Its director-general, Che Gayah Ismail, denounced a message being spread via WhatsApp today as false.

“We never use strong chemicals, on the contrary we only use regular salt which will not have any effect on humans,” she told Bernama when contacted.

The message read: “Friends from TUDM (RMAF) just called to alert that they are using strong chemical to make rain. This might affect the skin. So please stay away from the rain these few days and if (one comes) in contact, rinse promptly.”

Che Gayah said the public have been asked not to believe this false information and spread the message which will only cause confusion among the public on cloud seeding.

She explained that acid rain will only occur when pollutants contained in the haze react chemically with rain water.

Che Gayah said her department was always ready to conduct cloud seeding to tackle the current haze.

“Cloud seeding this time around will focus on the Klang Valley as the air quality in the area is still at an unhealthy level,” she said.

Meanwhile, the department’s atmospheric science and cloud seeding division director, Maznorizan Mohamad said department officials were on stand-by at Subang Airport awaiting for permission from the control tower to begin cloud seeding.

- Bernama