Limestone Dust Blanket Covers Cipatat, West Bandung; Health Agency Deploys Team
White dust, resembling snow, has been covering the Gunungmasigit area in the Cipatat District, West Bandung Regency, in recent days. This has raised significant health concerns among local residents, as the white dust is suspected to originate from a limestone processing factory.
Reports indicate that small particles of chalk dust are adhering to skin surfaces, car windows, and motorcycle helmets. For residents, the potential for health issues increases with continuous inhalation of these particles and direct skin exposure.
The Acting Head of the West Bandung Health Office, Lia N. Sukandar, stated that a surveillance team has been deployed to check the health status of residents in the Gunungmasigit area, which is close to the source of the exposure. “Following up on this dust pollution phenomenon, the team has been sent to identify complaints among residents. This ensures that if anyone is affected, immediate follow-up action can be taken,” Lia said on Thursday.
Lia noted that residents in the area frequently complain of shortness of breath, coughing, itchy throats, flu-like symptoms, eye irritation, and skin itchiness. Furthermore, the risk of health complications is higher for individuals with asthma. “For those with asthma or lung conditions, symptoms are more likely to flare up due to the intense dust exposure. Therefore, we are advising residents to undergo regular health checks,” Lia added.
The white layer covering the area is dust resulting from the activities of a limestone processing company. Following this air pollution incident, the West Bandung Environmental Agency (DLH) announced that it has imposed administrative sanctions on one company.
These sanctions were issued based on the findings from an investigation conducted a few days prior. According to the inspection report, the sanctions require the company to rectify its environmental documents, reduce production capacity, and install emission control equipment.
“Based on our inspection, the company does not yet have an adequate emission control system, allowing production dust to potentially escape into the air. Consequently, the company has been hit with administrative sanctions,” said Adhi Setyowibowo, an Environmental Inspector from the West Bandung Regency Environmental Agency.
Additionally, until the company installs a dust suction system or exhaust in the production area, its production capacity must be reduced. The lack of a suction system has caused fine particles to drift outside the industrial area and pollute the surrounding environment. “Until a suction system or exhaust is installed, the company’s production capacity must be decreased. They are also required to update technical regulations regarding emissions, domestic wastewater, and other environmental documents,” Adhi concluded.