Mercury pollution level in Kapuas very serious
Tuesday, September 12 2000 - 03:30 AM WIB
Mercury pollution level in the Kapuas River, in West Kalimantan, had been reaching an alarming level. Water produced by Pontianak Clean Water Company (PDAM) contained mercury three to five times higher than the tolerable level. In a number of locations, the level of mercury pollution reach 60 times higher than the tolerable level, and in one area even reach 200 times the tolerable level.
A councilor from the West Kalimantan Legislative Body's Commission D, Thobis Ranggie said over the weekend that all parties concerned, including the West Kalimantan administration, must take necessary measures to stop activities along the river that caused the pollution.
"The administration must not close its eyes and needs to take real actions, either by increasing awareness among the people (about the pollution) or taking legal measures as a precautionary measures," he said.
Earlier, Dr Thamrin Usman, a chemical expert at Tanjungpura University, unveiled his research findings on the mercury pollution level in Kapuas river before members of the Commission D.
His study shows that mercury pollution had reached an alarming level, even waters produced by PDAM Pontianak contained mercury three to five times higher than the tolerable level.
Based on his research, Thamrin found that mercury pollution level reached 69 times the tolerable level in Semitau, 68 times higher in Sakadau, 69 times higher in Nangah Sepauk, 69 times higher in Sintang, 70 times higher in Semuntai, 65 to 69 times higher in Tayan and 200 times higher in Sungai Landak in Pontianak.
Thamrin said that the mercury that pollutes the Kapuas river came mostly from gold mining activities, both legal and illegal.
Mercury is used by gold miners to cleanse the alluvial to get the gold. (*)