Conditions Improved, Dozens Of Residents Of Cigempol Karawang Village Who Were Poisoned By The Deli II Klorin Gas Were Returned

Residents who were victims of klorin gas poisoning PT Pindo Deli II Karawang while being treated at the emergency room at Rosela Hospital Karawang, West Java, Wednesday (14/9/2022). (PHOTO BETWEEN/Ali Khumaini)

KARAWANG - Residents of victims of klorin gas poisoning from PT Pindo Deli Pulp and Paper Mills II who were treated at Rosela Hospital, Karawang Regency, West Java have been returned to their respective homes after their condition improved. "After undergoing treatment at the ER, the patients (victims of poisoning) were gradually returned to their respective homes," said the doctor guarding the ER at Rosela Hospital, dr. Jefryanto in Karawang, as reported by Antara, Wednesday, September 14. In general, the victims of gas poisoning at the PT Pindo Deli II factory experienced symptoms of dizziness, nausea and coughing. Some even had shortness of breath. His party immediately took treatment, and repatriated the victim of poisoning whose condition had improved. The latest data from the hospital shows that 36 residents of Cigempol Village, Kutamekar Village, Ciampel District, Karawang were taken to Rosela Hospital due to the klorin gas poisoning of PT Pindo Deli II. In addition, there are also a number of residents who are being treated at the village clinic, because the impact of the poisoning is mild. Suhendar (25), a resident of Cigempol Village, said that the alleged leak of PT Pindo Deli II's gas had occurred since Subuh. However, residents only felt it when they left the house. He admitted that the incident almost happens every year. Even this year, a few days ago there were a number of residents who were poisoned and taken to the hospital. "Last year also happened the same thing. It happened badly in 2018, during the year twice in a row to more than 60 victims," he said. In May 2018 the Department of Environment and Hygiene of Karawang revoked the operational permit of PT Pindo Deli Pulp and Paper Mills II Caustic Soda Plant. The revocation of the Operational Permit is stated in the Decree of the Head of the Karawang DLHK Number 180/Kep.190-PPL/2018 dated May 18, 2018. Among the reasons for the closure, the Caustic Soda Plant PT Pindo Deli Pulp and Paper Mills II has been negligent because a number of chlorine production tools that have been rejuvenations but have not yet been carried out. The company is considered to have violated the Regulation of the Minister of Environment (Permen LH) Number 2 of 2017. Public Relations of PT Pindodeli II Andar said his party had temporarily closed the production process at the Caustic Soda Plant to prevent the emergence of new victims. "We will stop the production on the line first to thoroughly check the cause of the imperfect burn," he said. His party will finance the entire process of treating the victim until he recovers and will be responsible for the losses suffered by the victim. He said the incident occurred not because of a gas leak, but because of an imperfect burning.