27 firm face investigation into pollution in Karanganyar rivers
27 firm face investigation into pollution in Karanganyar rivers
Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post/Semarang
The Central Java office of the Environmental Impact Management
Agency (Bappedal) is investigating 27 companies over allegations
of polluting rivers in Karanganyar regency.
The investigation comes in the wake of the alleged mercury
contamination scandal in Buyat Bay, South Minahasa regency, North
Sulawesi.
Djoko Soetrisno, the head of the Bappedal office in Central
Java, said on Friday the agency had already summoned officials
from eight companies in Karanganyar, and would question officials
from more companies soon.
He said the agency was questioning the officials over the type
of industrial waste discharged by their companies into several
rivers in the regency, including the Ngringo, Pengok and Sroyo
rivers. The agency also is asking the companies to provide it
with samples of their industrial waste.
Bappedal is performing laboratory tests to determine whether
the companies can be held responsible for pollution in the
rivers.
"We also are taking samples of industrial waste at 19 selected
spots in the rivers. It takes time to determine whether the
industrial waste contains hazardous metal waste," Djoko said.
He said his office also was studying recent findings from the
School of Agriculture at Sebelas Maret University.
Researchers from the university reportedly found amounts of a
hazardous chrome substance in rivers in Karanganyar regency,
including types of kalium chromat and kalium sulfate.
These two types of chrome are extremely dangerous. If inhaled,
they can cause nosebleeds. If ingested, they can cause kidney and
heart problems.
"But we will cross-check the findings with our own laboratory
tests, which are still underway," Djoko said.
Pranata, an executive at blanket manufacturer PT Kharisma
Parwitex, one of the companies summoned by Bappedal, denied his
company discharged hazardous waste into Ngringo River.
He said his company recycled its waste, so whatever was
discharged into the river was not hazardous to humans.