Tests find arsenic in residents' blood<\/p>\n
Abdul Khalik, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Laboratory tests by the Jakarta Health Agency found that the
\nblood of four Buyat residents in Minahasa, North Sulawesi,
\ncontained high levels of mercury and arsenic.<\/p>\n
The results confirmed earlier laboratory tests the School of
\nMathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Indonesia
\n(MIPA UI) performed on the four -- Rasyid Rahmat, 38; Sri Fika
\nModeong, 21 months; Juhria Ratumbahe, 42; and Masna Stiman, 39.<\/p>\n
In a statement issued on July 28 but made available to the
\npress on Friday, the Jakarta Health Agency said Rasyid's blood
\ncontained the highest mercury level at 52.50 microgram per liter
\n(ug\/L), followed by Sri (51.25 ug\/L), Juhria (38.75 ug\/L) and
\nMasna (33.75 ug\/L).<\/p>\n
A microbiology expert from the Office of the State Minister
\nfor Research and Technology, Amin Soebandrio, said a mercury
\nlevel of over 30 u\/L could affect the nervous system and could
\ncause symptoms such as imbalance and fainting.<\/p>\n
\"However, it must be remembered that the mercury level in the
\nblood is unstable. That is why the test results are still
\ninconclusive, as the mercury level found in their hair was far
\nlower,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Amin also could not conclude whether the symptoms displayed by
\nthe four Buyat residents were related to the their mercury
\nlevels.<\/p>\n
Most of the four have developed swelling on various parts of
\ntheir bodies. Other have complained of headaches, nausea and
\ncramps.<\/p>\n
Aside from mercury, the tests also found that the urine of
\nMasna and Rasyid contained arsenic. Masna had 85.63 parts per
\nmillion (ppm) and Rasyit 188.13 ppm in their urine.<\/p>\n
The laboratory tests, however, did not find significant levels
\nof mercury in the hair and nails of the four residents.<\/p>\n
Earlier laboratory tests by MIPA UI found mercury levels in
\nthe blood of Sri, Juhria, Masna and Rasyid between 9.51 ug\/L and
\n23.90 u\/L.<\/p>\n
An expert on dangerous chemicals at MIPA UI, Budiawan, who
\nperformed these earlier tests, said his results and those of the
\nJakarta Health Agency showed the residents' blood was
\ncontaminated with mercury and arsenic.<\/p>\n
\"This level of mercury is not supposed to be there. This
\nmercury must have come from the environment because normally our
\nbody does not have such a high level of this toxic chemical,\"
\nBudiawan said.<\/p>\n
He said the fact that other toxic chemicals such as arsenic
\nwere found in the residents' blood must prompt the authorities to
\ntake action.<\/p>\n
\"The combination of two or more dangerous chemicals can be
\ndeadly. It is now useless and a waste of our time to argue
\nwhether a standard exists. The fact that their bodies contain
\nsignificant amounts of dangerous chemicals should prompt us to
\nlook for the source,\" Budiawan said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tests-find-arsenic-in-residents-blood-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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