Expert: Paracetamol Concentration Levels In Jakarta Bay Not Lethal

JAKARTA - Professor of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) IPB University, Prof. Etty Riani, said the findings of paracetamol concentrations were at non-lethal levels. However, if it persists, it has the potential to have an impact.

"If you look at the amount of 610 nanograms per liter, let's say the remaining five percent are toxic, that with 610 nanograms is indeed inactive. It doesn't turn off immediately, so there is news on TV that many fish died because of paracetamol, it feels like an unscientific statement, " said ecotoxicologist Etty, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, October 5.

"It's not going to be lethal at this rate," he added.

However, he warned that if no steps were taken to deal with it or business as usual, it would have the potential to have an impact on the environment.

"We still have to pay attention because the environment is a system that is interrelated with one another," he said.

Previously, research conducted by researchers from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in collaboration with researchers in the UK found that the estuaries of the Angke River and Ciliwung River, Ancol in Jakarta Bay had concentrations of paracetamol.

Research on water contaminants in four locations in Jakarta Bay, namely Angke, Ancol, Tanjung Priok and Cilincing and Eretan Beach on the coast of Central Java, found two high concentrations.

High concentrations of paracetamol were detected in Angke at 610 nanograms per liter (ng/L) and Ancol at 420 ng/L.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Waste Management, Waste and Hazardous Toxic Materials (PSLB3) Rosa Vivien Ratnawati said the paracetamol pollutant as found in the study was included in the emerging pollutant or new pollutant.

"We are talking about something that is usually not monitored in the environment and indeed, this emerging pollutant has no quality standards for WHO," said Vivien.

To determine water quality standards related to paracetamol pollutants, deeper research and monitoring are needed to become the basis for determination.

Vivien explained that the Ministry of Environment and Forestry appreciates the research even though it is still a preliminary study. However, he emphasized that as an emerging pollutant, the working group within the Directorate General of PSLB3 would follow up to identify it, review research and the policies that govern it.

"Research on paracetamol and the content of paracetamol found in only two places did not then cause health problems," said Vivien.