Most vehicles fail standard emission tests<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The first day of emission tests on 200 vehicles
\nfound that most produced high levels of hydrocarbons, carbon
\nmonoxide and smoke in comparison to permitted levels.<\/p>\n
The tests, carried out on a sample 100 vehicles using gas and
\n100 others using diesel fuel, took place on Jl. Raya Bekasi, East
\nJakarta, yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"Eighty percent of the vehicles using gas received red
\nstickers, meaning that they produce too many pollutants,\" a staff
\nmember of the city environmental bureau said. The vehicles
\nincluded one new Kijang minivan and several motor-bikes.<\/p>\n
The emissions detector -- attached to the vehicles' exhaust
\nsystem -- indicated, for instance, rates of carbon monoxide above
\nseven, as compared to the tolerable level of 4.5, which is
\nspecified in a 1990 gubernatorial decree.<\/p>\n
Overexposure to carbon dioxide leads to headaches, a drop in
\nblood pressure and breathing difficulties, among other known
\neffects.<\/p>\n
The bureau's staff member, requesting anonymity, said the
\nfigures for diesel fuel vehicles will be released today.<\/p>\n
Red stickers bearing the words \"Emission above permitted
\nrates\" were stuck on public and private vehicles by officials
\ninvolved in the campaign, conducted in conjunction with World
\nEnvironment Day.<\/p>\n
Green stickers stating \"Emission below permitted rates\" were
\ngiven to a comparatively few vehicles.<\/p>\n
The tests are planned to continue today and tomorrow, and
\nagain on June 18 - 20. Another series of tests are planned for
\nDecember.<\/p>\n
At the testing site, response from car owners appeared to be
\npositive, as they formed a line waiting for tests and their
\nresults. No one seemed be complaining, witnesses said, but
\nopinions were divided on whether the traffic congestion at the
\ntest site was worse due to the tests.<\/p>\n
Today, tests will be conducted on Jl. Merdeka Barat, Central
\nJakarta and tomorrow on Jl. Raya Bogor. On June 18, the tests
\nwill be carried out on Jl. Gunung Sahari; on June 19, along Jl.
\nDaan Mogot, West Jakarta; and on June 20 in Lenteng Agung, Depok.<\/p>\n
Passing motorists not selected for testing are also handed a
\ntwo-page notice which provides information on permitted emission
\nlevels based on the 1990 rule.<\/p>\n
The notice also includes a table listing the effects of
\noverexposure to carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen
\ndioxide, hydrocarbon, dust and smoke.<\/p>\n
Given the short duration of the tests, however, current checks
\nare only focusing on emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon
\nand smoke.<\/p>\n
Motorists who received red stickers were urged to bring their
\nvehicles to service stations. They were also given handwritten
\ncopies of their emissions rates as depicted on the screen
\nconnected to the emission detector.<\/p>\n
\"Those who received green stickers were encouraged to maintain
\ntheir levels,\" the environmental bureau official said.<\/p>\n
Officials conducting the tests were also from the city land
\ntransport agency and the city police, who noted down
\nthe license numbers of the two-wheel and four-wheel vehicles.<\/p>\n
The license plates will serve as records when vehicle owners
\napply for renewal of their vehicle documents. City police will
\ncheck whether applicants' vehicle emissions have met city
\nstandards, Aboejoewono, the head of the environmental bureau said
\nearlier.<\/p>\n
In his address at a technical meeting for environment
\nofficials, State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja
\nsaid yesterday that measures taken with private and public
\nvehicles are the beginning of efforts towards creating more
\neconomic and legal instruments to reduce pollution.<\/p>\n
The current emission checks follow earlier ones conducted
\nsince 1991, but this year boasts the highest number of locations.<\/p>\n
Aboejoewono said the campaign is still necessary, given the
\nfact that since 1991, the transportation sector is still the main
\nsource of around 67 percent of air pollution.<\/p>\n
Despite the current figures of 1.8 million private vehicles
\nand 700,000 public vehicles in use, an officer in charge of air
\npollution said people still blame the pollution problem on public
\nvehicles.<\/p>\n
\"Although the sanctions of this campaign seems to only be red
\nstickers for offenders, the message is that every motorist
\ncontributes to pollution,\" Margana Koesoemadinata of the
\nEnvironmental Impact Management Agency said after addressing a
\nseminar on dust and fume control technologies. (anr)<\/p>",
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