Coordinating Ministry For Maritime Affairs And Fisheries Campaigns For Dangers Using Domestic Thick Materials

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves) campaigns for the dangers of using lead (Pb) in industries that are in direct contact with humans in national seminars.

This seminar was initiated by PT Timah Industri, which is part of the Indonesian Plastic Industry Association (Inaplas) with the Asean Vinyl Council (AVC) which was welcomed by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

Chairman of the National Seminar Committee Dirgahayu Maharestu said this seminar aims to campaign for non-leading industries and raise public awareness of the importance of non-leading products in maintaining health and the environment.

"Hopefully this national seminar can be a significant step in realizing a greener and more sustainable future for all, industrial and government collaboration is also an important supporting factor to realize our common goals," Dirgahayu said in a statement to the media, Wednesday, October 18.

He explained that Timbal is a heavy metal that can have a negative effect on the human body.

The widespread use of lead by humans has exacerbated exposure and the dangers posed.

"Timbal has proven to have a bad effect on human health and the environment, especially in water, soil, and air. This seminar is important to encourage the use of non-timbal products as an alternative that is more environmentally friendly and safe for health," continued Dirgahayu.

He said that there are still many use of lead in Indonesia in several products and industries, one of which is battery, iron paint, and wall paint.

PolyCinyl Chloride (PVC) pipe products that contain lead mixtures are likely to escape in water.

"The case of lead poisoning globally is estimated to have an impact on one in three children. In Indonesia, it is estimated that more than 8 million children have lead levels in the blood above 5 micrograms per deciliter (dL)," explained Dirgahayu.

In addition, the Division of the Environmental Pediatrician at New York University noted that lead exposure in Indonesia caused a loss of around US$37.9 billion.

Therefore, he said, public awareness and the government need to be increased by exposure to lead and impacts on the environment and health to prevent lead contamination.

The Secretary General (Sekjen) of Inaplas Fajar Budiyono welcomed the campaign carried out by the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries for the use of non-leading in the industry.

"Hopefully the results of our seminar will get good results for health and environmental sustainability by adapting non-mixing to industries that produce products for the community," said Fajar.