JAKARTA - The Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) has conducted an investigation and research into the incident of a fire in the Pesticide Warehouse owned by PT Biotek Saranatama in the Tekno Park area, South Tangerang, Banten, which has an impact on the Cisadane River.
Based on the results of research and field checks, the Gakkum KLH team found that there was contamination of liquid pesticide materials flowing into the Jeletreng River to the Cisadane River with an area of approximately 22.5 kilometers (km), covering the areas of South Tangerang City, Tangerang City, and Tangerang Regency.
"Pollution in the Cisadane River has reportedly spread to approximately 22.5 kilometers," said Minister of LH/Head of BPLH Hanif Faisol Nurofiq in a written statement received in Tangerang, Wednesday, quoted by Antara.
He said that the pollution had an impact, including the death of various aquatic biota such as catfish, catfish, patin fish, tilapia, and sapu-sapu fish.
"As a follow-up, KLH/BPLH took water samples in the upstream and downstream parts of the Cisadane River, and collected ten dead fish samples to be tested in the laboratory," said Minister Hanif.
As an effort for further examination, he said, the KLH team will test the water of the Jeletreng River, groundwater, and other aquatic biota by involving toxicologists.
"We will investigate this case through a series of laboratory tests and scientific studies," said Minister Hanif.
In addition, his party has conducted an inspection of the warehouse belonging to PT Biotek Saranatama which is located in the Pergudangan Taman Tekno BSD Serpong area, Block K3 Number 37, Setu District, South Tangerang City.
The company is known to store the pesticides cypermetrin and profenofos, which are commonly used to control various plant pests.
Then, he continued, about 20 tons of pesticide materials were burned in the incident. The residual water of the fire that mixed with chemical residues flowed into the river body and caused pollution.
"Approximately 20 tons of pesticides were burned and the residual water of the fire mixed with chemical residues flowed to contaminate the river. This condition has a very serious impact on the ecosystem of the waters and the surrounding community," said Minister Hanif.
His party is committed to following up on this incident in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws and regulations and ensuring that the law enforcement process is transparent and accountable, including a thorough evaluation of the management system of Hazardous and Toxic Materials (B3) implemented by the company.
"The appeal for a while, we appeal to the public who live around the river to not use river water for daily needs, because it has the potential to cause skin and eye irritation, as well as respiratory disorders if the vapor is inhaled," said Faisol.
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