Hundreds of Residents Undergo Health Checks Amid Limestone Dust Pollution in West Bandung
Residents living around the limestone processing industrial area in West Bandung Regency are undergoing health checks to anticipate the impact of limestone dust pollution. The examinations are being conducted as a follow-up to the instruction of West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi after an inspection of several factories in the area.
Plt Head of the Jayamekar Community Health Centre, Rendra Gustiawan, said that 557 residents have been registered as targets for the examination. The screening is prioritised for residents within the Jayamekar Community Health Centre’s working area in RW 19, Padalarang Village.
“Today we started health examinations for several residents who are indicated to be affected by the activities of several factories that were directly inspected by the Governor yesterday,” Rendra said on Monday (27/7).
The health examinations are targeted to be completed within five days, with a maximum of around 100 people undergoing X-rays each day. In addition to general health checks, officers are also focusing on detecting possible respiratory disorders related to risk factors for pollution exposure.
“The most important thing is that we want to see whether there is an impact from the pollution of the limestone factories on the health of residents. Therefore, the examination is focused on detecting symptoms and risk factors for respiratory disorders,” he explained.
He said the results of the examination will be reviewed by the West Java Provincial Occupational Health Hospital. The results will only be released after the entire examination and analysis process is complete. “As for the results, we cannot convey them yet because they are still in the process of examination and analysis. Later, the official results will be issued by the hospital,” he said.
Exposure to limestone dust from the limestone processing industry is suspected of causing a number of residents to experience itching, eye irritation, and throat and respiratory problems, especially among children. “My child now has spots on his skin and complains of itching, his skin is blistering. At night he often coughs,” explained Rina Agustina, a resident who lives near the factory.
Rina said the impact of limestone dust pollution has actually been felt by residents for a long time. However, in recent years, the condition has worsened. Not only does it affect health, she continued, but the white limestone dust has also reportedly entered residents’ homes. “The limestone dust has been there for a long time. But in the last few years, it has indeed gotten worse,” she said.