Coal dust in Cirebon exceeds tolerable limit

Dust resulting from the use of coal as fuel by industries in East Cirebon has exceeded the tolerable limit set by the government, causing respiratory problem to many people in the area, Media Indonesia reported on Thursday.

Dety Yulianti, the head researcher of the ministry of environmental affairs, said a recent survey indicated that the dust in several parts of East Cirebon had reached between 200 and 400 milligram per normal meter cubic (mg/nm3), exceeding the tolerable level of 150 mg/nm3.

"The pollution caused by coal has been disturbing although it will not cause tuberculosis," she said.

She said that the survey was conducted on Pangenan sub-district following a report that many people in the area -- where many factories use coal in their operations - suffered respiratory problem. (*)