Study shows decreasing level of lead in children's blood<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Phasing out leaded gasoline in Jakarta since 2001 has apparently
\nsatisfying results.<\/p>\n
A study held by a team of the University of Indonesia's (UI)
\nEnvironmental Health Department from January to March this year
\nshows that the lead content in blood samples of elementary school
\nstudents has dropped to 4.2 microns per centiliter from 8.6
\nmicrons in 2001, when the leaded gasoline phase-out program
\nbegan.<\/p>\n
\"The result of the study indicates that the leaded gasoline
\nphase-out program has been fruitful in reducing lead content in
\nhuman blood,\" Budi Haryanto, the UI team coordinator, told The
\nJakarta Post over the weekend.<\/p>\n
A high level of lead, which usually enters the human body
\nthrough air and food, can damage brain cells, marrow, kidneys and
\nother vital organs. The tolerable lead in human blood is 10
\nmicrons per centiliter.<\/p>\n
Budi revealed that blood samples were taken from 200 third and
\nfourth graders of 20 elementary schools in five municipalities.
\nEach school was represented by 10 students -- five girls and five
\nboys.<\/p>\n
Budi said the team chose elementary school students as the
\nsubjects in the study \"because they are at the most susceptible
\nage to the impact of lead on the human body\".<\/p>\n
According to Budi, some 80 percent of lead in the environment
\nis contributed by vehicular emissions. Other resources are
\nmanufactured goods like paints, canned foods, batteries and
\nelectronic waste.<\/p>\n
Responding to pressure by environmentalist, the central
\ngovernment has required state oil and gas company Pertamina to
\nsupply only unleaded gasoline to fuel stations in the capital.<\/p>\n
Unleaded gasoline is also sold in Bali, Batam and Cirebon.<\/p>\n
According to ministerial decree No. 1585.K\/32\/MPE\/1999 issued
\nby the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources on the
\nrequirements of gasoline and diesel sales, Pertamina is required
\nto supply only unleaded gasoline to the domestic market, as per
\nJan. 1, 2003.<\/p>\n
The regulation has yet to upheld by the government.<\/p>\n
Responding to the government not upholding the law, the
\nCommittee for Leaded Fuel Phase-Out (KPBB) has lodged complaints
\nagainst the ministry.<\/p>\n
KPBB chairman Ahmad Safrudin said his organization demanded
\nthat the ministry immediately phase out leaded gasoline.<\/p>\n
\"If the ministry ignores our complaints, we will report the
\nministry to the police for ignoring its own decree on the leaded
\ngasoline phase-out program,\" Ahmad told the Post, adding that it
\nwould file suit in June.<\/p>",
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