Leaded gas endangers Jakartans' health: Expert
JAKARTA (JP): The extensive use of leaded gasoline in the capital could lead to serious health problems among Jakartans, particularly children, an environmental consultant said.
Hugo Sager, the deputy project leader of Swisscontact, a Swiss-based nonprofit organization, said here on Wednesday that some of the major side effects included coronary heart disease, hypertension and a regression in children's intelligence.
Unlike unleaded gasoline, such as those bearing the brand names Premix and Super TT, leaded gasoline -- which is widely sold and used here -- is harmful as it contains poisonous substances such as lead.
Based on research conducted in the city in 1992, leaded gasoline has "caused a potential health risk", particularly among children, Hugo told a press conference on the Segar Jakarta clean air project at Sahid Jaya Hotel.
According to the study released last year, 300,000 children have suffered a drop in their intelligence quotient, he said.
"One milligram of lead is enough to decrease a child's IQ by one point. Lead contained in leaded gasoline may also decrease an adult's concentration ability," Hugo said.
The research also found 350 cases of coronary heart disease and 62,000 cases of hypertension, all of which are believed to have been caused by a high level of lead in the body.
"So I think it is important for Jakarta to start their clean air program now because the situation may get worst," David Kuper, Swisscontact's resident representative in Jakarta, said.
Based on the state of air pollution in Jakarta, the World Bank has predicted that Jakartans could spend as much as US$250 million per year on medical expenses.
The Segar Jakarta clean air project was initiated by Swisscontact in cooperation with its local partner, PT Qipra Galang Kartika. The campaign started last month and is scheduled to end in December next year.
The campaign -- which will include seminars, sports activities, music and art exhibitions -- is aimed at increasing awareness about the danger of gas emission to human health.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the city's environmental bureau and the State Ministry of Environment, through its Environment Impact Management Agency (Bapedal), support the program.
Isna Marifa, the head of the project's organizing committee, said the campaign was to support the governments efforts to make Jakarta a clean city.
She also revealed the results of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) survey that found 70 percent of air pollution was caused by vehicle emission.
"While 63 percent of the emission came from motorcycles, 34 percent was from private cars and the rest from public transportation and taxis."
Isna said the campaign will also introduce the benefits of using unleaded gasoline.
"People in Jakarta seems to have a lack of awareness about using unleaded gasoline. They choose to buy leaded gasoline because it's cheaper," she said.
Unleaded gasoline, for instance the Super TT, is sold by Pertamina, a state-owned oil company, for Rp 975 per liter, compared to Rp 700 per liter for leaded fuel.
Hugo said the government must provide a sufficient subsidy for unleaded gasoline, so people can afford to buy it rather than continue using leaded fuel.
Minister of Mines and Energy I.B. Sudjana said in March that leaded gasoline would be phased out and banned in 1999. (07)