200 vehicles fail emission tests

200 vehicles fail emission tests

JAKARTA (JP): Two hundred of 300 vehicles failed an emission
test at a temporary testing station set up on Jl. Kebon Sirih,
Central Jakarta yesterday.

Aboejoewono, head of the city's environmental bureau, said
owners of the vehicles were advised to visit their service
stations.

Yesterday's tests also found several vehicles aged 10 to 16
years obtained green stickers, while a number of newer makes
failed.

Four out of 10 Isuzu Panther vans produced between 1994 and
1996 had smoke rates double the tolerable level of 50, while
large and medium-size buses ranged from seven to 100 on smoke
levels.

An owner of a 1980 Mercedes-Benz deliberately drove around Jl.
Kebon Sirih to find the testing site, Aboejoewono said.

"He was very pleased when his old car passed," he said.

Jl. Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, was one of five sites used
in the second day of the tests, which plan to test 10,000
vehicles by Thursday.

All drivers were given information brochures which included
mechanical tips on improving exhaust systems, vouchers for free
consultation with automotive experts at the state surveyor firm,
PT Sucofindo, and questionnaires.

The brochures were subtitled "We can select the water we
drink, but not the air we breathe".

Sucofindo's automotive verification and testing division is
helping the municipality with the tests.

Of the tested vehicles, half used gasoline and half used
diesel fuel. Aboejoewono said he was surprised many new vehicles
using diesel fuel failed the tests.

The drivers were given the results of their tests, conducted
with the help of students from technical high schools. Those who
failed were advised to visit their service stations.

Aboejoewono said he did not yet have results from the other
sites in East Jakarta.

"Many vehicles using diesel fuel failed, while many using
gasoline passed," he said.

According to a 1990 gubernatorial law, tolerable levels of
pollutants for cars using gasoline is, among others, 4.5 for
carbon monoxide (CO), and 1.200 for hydrocarbon.

A 1986 Daihatsu Charade also passed, with a CO level of 1.14
and 200 for hydrocarbon. The driver, Hotel Indonesia employee
Solichin, received a questionnaire like the others. One of the
questions was whether respondents agreed to have emission test
results related to acceptance or denial of extension of car
ownership documents.

Solichin said the subject should not be immediately regulated.

Several spot emission checks should first be conducted to make
people more aware of air pollution problems and the need for
better car maintenance, he said.

A Sucofindo employee, Tri Murdyanto, said the emission tests,
which would take a total of four days, would cost Rp 100 million.

Today vehicles will be tested on Jl. Asia Afrika in Senayan,
and Jl. KH Mansyur, Central Jakarta, Jl. Rawa Bambu Raya, Jl.
Pahlawan, Jl. Warung Jati Barat in South Jakarta. (anr/ste)