Unleaded fuel program to be launched with bike events
JAKARTA (JP): Despite weak planning and promotion, the capital will officially launch its program to phase out leaded gasoline on Sunday, an important moment for the environmental movement in this country.
The event will take place on the eastern side of the National Monument (Monas) Park and will be attended by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro, State Minister of the Environment Sonny Keraf, Governor Sutiyoso and state oil and gas company Pertamina president Baihaki Hakim.
There will be a series of activities held at Monas starting from 6 a.m., such as a "green" walk, and adults as well as children's bike events.
According to non-governmental organization Committee for Leaded Fuel Eradication (KPBB), over 2,000 participants have registered for the event.
People are expected to come from all over the city and its buffer zones: Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi.
People indeed have a reason to be rejoice, since poisonous lead from vehicular emission will no longer be in the air. Well not as much as before as, according to Pertamina, leaded fuel will still be available at 202 out of the total of 382 gas stations in the capital.
Pertamina spokesman Ridwan Nyak Baik said the problem did not lie with the company as it was ready to supply every gas station.
"The problem is, several gas stations still have an abundant stock of leaded gasoline. So we have to wait until the stock is depleted," he told The Jakarta Post by phone on Saturday.
However, an important point that seems to be missing in this program is promotion.
Whether it is a resident, a gas station attendant or a mechanic in an auto repair shop, most remain oblivious to the program.
Ridwan said that Pertamina did coordinate with an association of oil and gas businessmen.
"But we're only the supplier in this program, so I don't think promotion is our responsibility. It's NGOs and the city administration's," he asserted.
Dissemination of information is especially essential for people whose cars were produced prior to 1985.
Automotive experts have noted that such cars need some adjustment because the engines use lead to cover the gas emission's valve seat.
The owner can either change the valve seat or add an additive to the gasoline. Another solution is to drive slowly.
However, despite all of the weaknesses in implementing the program, it is indeed an important first step in improving the quality of air in the capital.
KPBB stated that by removing leaded fuel, not only would there be a smaller amount of chemicals in the air, there would also be an up to 90 percent reduction of hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) from vehicular emission.
The government plans to have phased out leaded fuel throughout the country by 2003.
Lead is added to fuel to boost engine performance and is reported to be one of the cheapest substances among its kind.
However, it causes environmental and health problems, and also causes low IQ in children.
Health costs related to leaded gasoline are estimated at Rp 2 trillion (US$181.8 million) annually. (hdn)