It will cause a huge problem if it infiltrates the food chain.Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia managed to reduce the use of mercury in the manufacturing, health, energy, and mining sectors, the Environment and Forestry Ministry stated during an online press conference monitored from Jakarta, Tuesday.
Director General of Trash, Waste, as well as Toxic and Hazardous Material Management at the ministry Rosa Vivien Ratnawati noted that in the manufacturing sector, the utilization of mercury in the battery industry was reduced by 190.98 kilograms (kg) in 2019 and 219.26 kg in 2020.
According to Ratnawati, mercury usage in the lighting industry was reduced by 135.70 kg and 155.12 kg in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Ratnawati stated that 118,730 health equipment that used mercury, such as dental amalgam fillings, thermometers, and blood pressure gauge, were withdrawn in 2019, thereby resulting in a decline in the use of 7,146 kg of the chemical element.
In the following year, 72,292 medical devices were also withdrawn that helped to reduce usage of the metal by 4,731.6 kg.
The director general also stated that the use of mercury in small-scale gold mining activities was lowered by 10,450 kg in 2020.
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Ratnawati noted that in the energy sector, mercury utilization had been reduced by 560 kg in 2019 and 710 kg in 2020.
"According to our baseline data in 2018, some 180 locations were potentially affected by the utilization of mercury. However, the number has decreased now," she pointed out.
Currently, only five locations are left out of the 180 owing to collaboration between the ministry and law enforcer.
"The use of the element will pollute air, soil, and water. It will cause a huge problem if it infiltrates the food chain," Ratnawati cautioned.
Thus, in addition to causing environmental pollution, mercury can trigger health problems in humans.
Hence, Indonesia has established a National Action Plan for Mercury Reduction and Elimination (RAN PPM) stipulated in Presidential Regulation Number 21 of 2019.
The action plan comprises attempts to reduce and eliminate mercury use in four main sectors of manufacturing, health, energy, and small-scale gold mining.
Furthermore, Indonesia will host the 4th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-4) of the Minamata Convention on mercury that is planned to be held virtually in November 2021 and in March 2022 in Bali.
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Translator: Prisca Violleta, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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