Protecting the planet before it is torn apart

By P. Sumedi

Have you ever wondered how much poison enters your body due to pollutants emitted by automobiles? Do you realize that the ozone layer protecting the earth is getting thinner? So what does this mean? We must realized that these two plights are threatening the very existence of our life.

Take Jakarta as an example. Smog and gray skies seem to adorn the capital city everyday. A survey carried out in 1992 by the Environmental Impact Control Agency and the Bandung Institute of Technology reveals that 70 percent of air pollution in the capital originates from automobiles. Each day, the city's traffic emits Co, HC, Nox, Sox, Pb and other particulates into the atmosphere. They are the root of some of the diseases contracted by human beings.

Lead (Pb), for example, is one of the most hazardous substances which can disturb brain metabolism. Each 1 micro g/m3 of lead in the air that we breath will contribute 2.5 to 5.3 micro g/dl of lead in our blood. Consequently, hemoglobin in the blood will increase initially, but then will eventually decrease, as lead destroys red blood cell forming enzymes. For children, each increase in lead content by 10 micro g/dl in the blood will result in a degradation of IQ (Intelligence Quotient) by 2.5 points.

According to Dr. Jan Sudir Purba, Phd, Neuroendocrinologist from the University of Indonesia's School of Medicine, this substance also attacks other organs, such as the heart, kidneys, lungs and bone marrow, and accumulates there. Consequently, their functions are harmed. Lead can contribute to coronary heart disease and hypertension.

Lead also effects men's fertility. A survey by the World Health Organization reveals that it changes the acidity level of semen, decreases quantity and disturbs movement of spermatozoa. Therefore, traffic police, bus drivers and conductors who are exposed to lead every day are susceptible to those deficiencies.

Indonesians, along with the rest of the world, are exposed to dangers arising from the thinning of ozone layer. The earth's umbrella is situated at the stratosphere, 15 kilometers to 45 kilometers above the earth. It protects the earth from ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun. Damage to the ozone layer has been observed since 1985. Surveys reveal that damage to ozone layer above the Antarctic reached 25 million square kilometers in 1999. It is expected to be exhausted in 2130.

The problem? Manmade chemical substances, such as CFC (Chlorofluorocarbons), Halon, Carbon tetrachloride, Methyl Chloroform and Methyl Bromide, have been used daily, including in foam mattresses, furniture, fire extinguishers, home/car air conditioners, refrigerators, automotive accessories and aerosol cosmetics for the past 70 years or so.

Their impact is quite terrifying to the earth and its inhabitants. They increase the intensity of ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth. Ultraviolet radiation triggers skin cancer, cataract problems and deficiency of body immunity, as well as damaging the food chain, from the sea and to vegetation. Ozone damage has the potential to generate global warming and genetic mutation.

Not sitting still

What is the government doing to help solve the problem? Before the House of Representatives Commission VIII for environmental, science and technology affairs in early November, State Minister of the Environment/Chairman of the Environmental Impact Management Agency Sonny Keraf explained the Blue Sky Program 2000-2001. Blue Sky covers the control of air pollution generated by mobile and stationary sources, noise and monitoring the Ambient air quality in urban areas.

The government also plans to phase out the use of leaded gasoline. Starting with Greater Jakarta in 2001, the entire Java island is scheduled to be free from leaded gasoline by 2002 and all of Indonesia in 2003.

One the solutions is the use of unleaded gasoline (high octane). In addition, the government will encourage the use of alternative fuels, such as CNG, LPG, ethanol or electric power. Blue Sky starts in Jakarta with the program Segar Jakartaku (My Fresh Jakarta). Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso said that he had started the use of environmentally friendly fuel in his agency. Now, about 500 official cars are gas-powered.

But that is not all there is to it. The government is also formulating the Threshold Value and Emission Test Method for all existing and new cars to be applied when extending car registration. In addition, the government will monitor fuel quality and hold Roadside Air Sampling checks.

To save the ozone layer, the government has taken several measures, including, among others things, prohibiting the use of Ozone Harming Substances (BPO). This is realized by ratifying the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol to scientifically, technologically, environmentally and economically control measurements of solutions in Ozone Harming Substances. For example, even though Indonesia is not a CFC-producing country, it was determined to stop using CFC by 1997, as contained in Presidential Decree No. 23, 1992. Though in practice, the government still allows the import of 700 metric tonnes of CFC 12 per annum; to facilitate control, it appointed a sole importer, namely PT Dharma Niaga, licensed to import until December 2003.

Further, the Minister of Industry and Trade Decision 110/MPP/Kep/1/1998, stipulates prohibition against production and trade of Ozone Harming Substances and new goods with Ozone Harming Substances. If they are, they shall be furnished with logos stating them non-CFC and non-Halon.

Pertamina's Quality Control Department staffer Dott. Theresia Indrawati said in September during a seminar commemorating Ozone Day that in relation to environmentally friendly products, Pertamina has produced alternative fuels, such as gas and super TT. To help save the ozone layer, it has launched hydrocarbon as an alternative substance of Ozone Harming Substance. Hydrocarbon proves to be quite safe to the environment and does not damage the ozone layer, therefore, greenhouse effects are negligible.

Petrozon Rossy and Solven Emsee refrigerants and eight series thereof are developed for maintenance workshop, metal cleaning, and precision industry. Propelan Roshika is produced for cosmetics and household industries, as drivers for hair spray, sprayed chemicals and air freshener. Further, a foaming agent is produced for insulating material. The materials originate from natural resources available in this country. Seen from a global development of refrigerants, Indonesia is the first producer in Asia and the only developing country producing alternative substances of CFC and HCF (R134a).

Not smooth

Does this solve the problem? Unfortunately, no! People are apparently not yet familiar with such environmentally friendly products. There are only a few people using super TT or gas, for example. The reason? It all comes down to a matter of price. Premix and premium gasolines, though not environmentally friendly, are cheaper than Super TT, which costs almost Rp 2,000 per liter.

Bandi, a motorcycle owner filling up at a gasoline station said: "The economy is hard, I'd rather find inexpensive gasoline." This seems reasonable enough to him. Inevitably, due to the ongoing crisis, environmental issues are often forgotten. In this situation, it is difficult enough living properly let alone thinking about saving the environment.

Using a gas fuel is more difficult, more due to expensive converter kits installed in gasoline-using vehicles. The cost can reach US$2,000 per unit. Another obstacle is that not all gasoline stations have super TT and gas.

Therefore, to realize a lead-free Indonesia in 2003, Pertamina will build reformers in Balikpapan, Musi and Cilacap to produce HOMC (High Octane Mogas Component) lead-free gasoline, at a total investment of $229.7 million. Unfortunately, the implementation will be delayed due to the critical domestic condition.

The alternative substances to Ozone Harming Substance have the same destiny. Generally, people continue using ozone-harming substances. For example, to refill a car's air-conditioning unit with an ozone-friendly substance can cost Rp 90,000, whereas the CFC gas only costs half that much. Not to mention that if the car owner intends to use an ozone-friendly substance, the compressor must be replaced with one compatible for said product. It means spending about Rp 2 million on a new compressor.

Secretary to state minister of the environment, Sudharsono, said during a Ozone Day 2000 seminar themed Save our Sky: "It is indeed dilemmatic. The key is awareness. We are all responsible for the environment. This awareness must be fostered. Awareness of the significance of the ozone layer has not yet been internalized." Adding that probably, the producers should also think about making products more affordable.

We must contemplate the price we will pay for the impact of Ozone damage. Are we prepared to have a low-IQ future generation? Are we ready to die slowly, gnawed at by diseases contracted due to ignoring the environment? And are we willing to see our earth completely torn apart due to our carelessness?