Cinangka residents complain of pollution

Cinangka residents complain of pollution

BOGOR: Cinangka residents in the Ciampea subdistrict of Bogor
regency have submitted a complaint to the local police about
water and air pollution caused by home industries recycling used
car batteries.

Maesaroh, 50, one of the residents said that the industries
recklessly dump the battery water and then burn the whole battery
to remove the plastic molding and remove the battery cells inside
for recycling.

"They've been doing this for a long time. Almost every night
we cannot sleep because the smoke caused by the burning plastic
causes us to choke," she said. She added children in particular
have developed respiratory ailments.

The residents' complaint was confirmed by Ciampea subdistrict
head, Rudi Gunawan, who said that the burning of batteries was
done at night, usually after midnight, to avoid being seen.

"Local residents have repeatedly complained about the
pollution but the industries have never positively responded. And
now they have reported it to the police," he said.

The police and the environmental agency of Bogor regency are
studying the case. "If it is proven that the battery burning has
caused the pollution we'll take strong action," he said, adding
that the police were also questioning some 50 witnesses in the
subdistrict.

Bogor Police Precinct deputy chief, Comr. Tomex Korniawan,
said last Saturday that they had received residents' reports
about the pollution case.--JP