Ministry of Environment Tests for Toxic Gas Content at South Tangerang Pesticide Warehouse Post-Fire
Tangerang Selatan, CNN Indonesia – The Ministry of Environment (KLH) has deployed a Pollution and Environmental Damage Control (PPKL) team to test for potential toxic gas exposure at the pesticide storage warehouse in the Taman Tekno BSD Warehouse Complex, South Tangerang, Banten, following the fire incident earlier this week. The testing was conducted to ensure the air around the location is safe from residual burned chemicals.
KLH Deputy for PPKL Rasio Ridho Sani said the team brought specialized equipment to detect hazardous gas content and map out further response measures.
“We assigned a team experienced in detecting and recovering from chemical impacts. The in-depth process is still underway with specialized equipment,” Rasio said in Setu on Friday (13/2).
According to him, the parameters being tested include hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon monoxide (CO), and ammonia (NH3). Preliminary results show all three gases were detected within the warehouse area.
The Ministry is now preparing follow-up steps including the identification and removal of remaining chemicals deemed to have the potential for further exposure.
“To accelerate the response, we are checking what chemicals are inside the warehouse and need to be immediately relocated,” he said.
Rasio emphasized that if hazardous gas concentrations are found at high levels, the conditions could trigger renewed air pollution around the PT Biotek Saranatama warehouse. He acknowledged that the smell of residual chemicals can still be detected at the location. Therefore, the Ministry wants to ensure there is no risk to residents or workers in the Taman Tekno area.
In addition to on-site measurements, the Ministry also collected air samples for laboratory testing. The test results will serve as the basis for determining next steps, including the possible restriction of activities around the affected area.
“If high levels of hazardous substances are proven to exist, there will certainly be special measures, including restricting access around the location,” Rasio said.
Meanwhile, on Saturday (14/2), Deputy Minister of Environment Diaz Hendropriyono confirmed that the smoldering embers at the South Tangerang pesticide storage warehouse have been fully extinguished. Diaz said a number of blue drums at the location will be relocated today.
“Currently, the KLH team is still at the burned warehouse location. A deputy and several directors are there. This morning there was still a pungent smell, and inside the warehouse there were still smoldering embers,” Diaz told reporters on Saturday, as quoted from detik.com.
Diaz explained that the firefighting team did not spray water despite the still-pungent odor. This, he said, was to prevent dangerous chemical reactions.
“The fire brigade arrived but to my knowledge did not spray water, because we were concerned about a potential reaction between nitric acid compounds and water,” he said.
“The team then covered the area with sand to contain the chemical compounds and prevent them from spreading into the surrounding air,” Diaz added.
The pesticide warehouse located in Setu District, South Tangerang, caught fire on Monday (9/2). The fire was only extinguished after seven hours of response efforts. The fire not only caused material losses but also left traces of water contamination in the Cisadane River. Many fish died after the Cisadane River water was suspected to have been contaminated from the pesticide factory. The river water turned white after being contaminated.