West Java Environmental Agency Finds Dust from Cipatat Lime Factory and Mine Exceeds Quality Standards

The West Java Environmental Agency (DLH) has found that three air pollutant parameters have exceeded environmental quality standards based on initial laboratory tests in the Cipatat lime factory and mining area, West Bandung Regency. The head of DLH Jabar, Ai Saadiyah Dwidaningsih, stated on Saturday that the findings came from a spot check conducted by the Environmental Protection and Management Supervisory Team on 11 July 2026. “From the parameters tested, some exceeded the quality standards, namely TSP, PM10, and PM2.5. This means these dust particles have been indicated to surpass the limits,” she said. She explained that the initial laboratory results show significant dust pollution exposure, but these findings do not yet form the basis for a final conclusion as further testing at more representative points is required. “This is not final. We will conduct tests at several other representative points such as public areas, roads, and mining areas. The initial sampling does not yet represent everything,” she added. To strengthen the investigation, DLH Jabar is implementing a clustering method by dividing the monitoring location into three zones: the lime processing area, public areas, and the mining area. This step is being carried out together with the Energy and Mineral Resources Agency, the Industry and Trade Agency, the West Bandung Regency Government, and involves expert personnel. While waiting for the comprehensive study results, DLH Jabar has issued technical recommendations to business operators, including covering open material storage areas. The agency also requires the installation of emission control devices such as dust collectors, bag filters, or cyclones, as well as regular road watering to suppress airborne dust. Ai emphasised that companies proven to have violated the standards and failed to implement these recommendations could face administrative sanctions up to fines in accordance with Minister of Environment Regulation Number 6 of 2026 concerning Supervision and Administrative Sanctions in the Environmental Sector.