Toxic Pollution in Indonesia
Over 2.2 million people estimated at risk
49 sites evaluated to date
Preliminary Research as of Aug. 23, 2010
Global Inventory of Polluted Places
Blacksmith Institute, working with local partners and
experts, is surveying highly contaminated sites in
Indonesia as part of a Global Inventory of Polluted Places,
a project funded by the Asian Development Bank and
European Commission.
To date, Blacksmith Institute has identified 49 sites in
Indonesia where toxic pollutants exceed national
regulations and recognized international standards. More
than 2.2 million people are estimated to be at risk from
pollution at these sites – a number that is expected to rise
significantly as new sites are evaluated. Much more
inventory work is required to catalog sites in Indonesia. A
more complete report will be available by 2011.
Tin mining has polluted waterways with
cadmium on Banka Island, Indonesia.
The table below highlights the main pollutants in Indonesia
and the number of people who are potentially at risk from
each. The data are based on a formal site assessment protocol and consistency review
process.
Scope of Toxic Pollution in Indonesia
Primary Pollutant at Site
Mercury
Lead
Chromium
PM10
Oil/Petroleum Products
All Other Pollutants
Pesticides
Coal/Coke
Cadmium
Arsenic
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons
Cyanide
Total
Active
Sites
Legacy
Sites
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
2
Sites With Both
Active and Legacy
Pollution
16
11
3
1
1
5
1
1
2
1
1
43
Total Number
of Sites
Estimated
Population at Risk
16
12
4
2
2
5
1
2
2
1
1
1
49
859,600
747,300
195,300
114,200
101,000
80,700
80,000
51,000
22,100
14,800
10,000
100
2,276,100
Preliminary data from Blacksmith Institute’s Global Inventory as of 8/23/2010. Table does not include sites with low risk to human health.
Health Risks from Mercury and Lead
Mercury and lead are the primary point-source pollutants in Indonesia, and are both
powerful neurotoxins. Exposure to mercury can cause severe developmental problems
in children and fetuses, kidney problems, arthritis, memory loss, miscarriages, psychotic
Preliminary Data - Not for Public Release
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reactions, respiratory failure, neurological
damage, and death. Chronic exposure to
lead can cause impaired neurobehavioral
and cognitive development, decreased
stature, lethargy, convulsions, delirium,
loss of memory, lead colic, intense pain in
the abdomen, coma, and death.
Major Polluting Industries:
Industrial Mining
Industrial mining refers to formal, largescale mineral extraction projects. These
mines create two types of waste: waste
rock and tailings. Waste rock is the
Major Polluting Industries
material removed to access the ore, while
(by population impact)
tailings are what remain once the valuable ore is
separated from other sediments. Both waste
rock and tailings can leach heavy metals, but tailing often also contain cyanide and
mercury used in the separation process. Mine waste is rarely stored in a manner that
completely prevents the pollution from migrating, and is often dumped in rivers or piled
on land. Toxins from mine waste can impact humans by leaching into waterways used
for drinking, or by inhalation of dust blown from mine sites. Heavy metals are also
stored in plant and animal tissues and can enter humans through the food chain.
Product Manufacturing
Many of the manufacturing industries in Indonesia require the use or output of
chemicals and heavy metals that are dangerous to humans. For example, steel
manufacturing, chrome platting, and textile industries often involve the use of chromium.
Cement manufacturing and metal smelting often result in the release of cadmium.
These toxins typically reach humans through the inhalation of workplace air, direct
dermal contact, or through the domestic use of contaminated water. The release of
untreated industrial effluents into rivers is a particular concern in Indonesia.
Artisanal Gold Mining Using Mercury
Artisanal mining refers to informal or small-scale activities that use rudimentary methods
to extract and process ore. This sector is responsible for nearly 20 percent of global
gold production, and employs between 10 and 15 million people—including 4.5 million
women and 600,000 children.1 To separate gold from sediments, workers combine
mercury with gold-laden silt to form a hardened mercury-gold amalgam. The amalgam
is then heated to evaporate the mercury, leaving behind pure gold. This burning process
releases mercury gases and vapors into the surrounding air. Mercury is also often
washed away with unwanted sediments into local water bodies.
1
Veiga, M.M., Baker, R. (2004). Protocols for Environmental and Health Assessment of Mercury Released by Artisanal and Small
Scale Miners, Report to the Global Mercury Project: Removal of Barriers to Introduction of Cleaner Artisanal Gold Mining and
Extraction Technologies, GEF/UNDP/UNIDO, 170p.
Information in this document is proprietary and copyright Blacksmith Institute. No authorization is granted for its use except by written
permission of Blacksmith Institute. Data is preliminary and provided by third parties. Blacksmith Institute, its agents, officers and contractors
cannot be held liable for errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or matters arising from the use of this information.
Preliminary Data - Not for Public Release
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