300 industries in Bogor produce toxic waste: Agency

300 industries in Bogor produce toxic waste: Agency

BOGOR (JP): Some 300 of the 800 industrial companies operating
in Bogor regency produce hazardous and toxic waste, according to
the Bogor branch of the Environmental Impact Management Agency
(Bapedalda).

The head of Bapedalda's air and soil contamination control
section, Eran Subarna, disclosed on Tuesday that only 10 percent
of the 300 companies had built their own liquid waste treatment
installations.

About 100 of those 300 companies dump their waste at disposal
sites in Nambo village, Gunung Putri, Bogor.

Eran said the 300 companies were currently under the
supervision of his office.

Eran further pointed out that of the 800 companies, only 80
percent had set up a waste treatment installation.

He called on all related parties, such as village heads and
district officials, to participate in the monitoring of
industries producing toxic waste.

Meanwhile, Bapedalda vowed to continue monitoring the waste
management systems of those companies through their monthly
report to the agency.

According to a local regulation, the management of the firms
is required to submit a monthly report on their waste production
to the agency.

Referring to the air pollution in Bogor regency, Eran revealed
that his agency's emission tests in Cibinong, Ciluar and Ciawi
areas showed that vehicle emission rates went beyond the
allowable limit.

"In Cibinong, for instance, the level of carbon monoxide has
reached an alarming level, especially during the daytime. But
that shouldn't scare the public as the level drops at night," he
explained.

Asked about the air pollution around PT Indocement Tunggal
Prakarsa in Citeureup and PT Semen Cibinong in Cileungsi, Eran
said that the levels in both areas were still under the allowable
limit.

Occasionally, however, pollution at the two locations was
higher than normal due to leakages in the factories' facilities
and a thick layer of smog resulting from heavy traffic, he added.
(21)