Jakarta Confirms Paracetamol Contamination in Jakarta Bay Waters

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Environment Agency Head, Asep Kuswanto, confirmed that the waters of Jakarta Bay were contaminated with paracetamol. He said the drug content reached 200 nanograms per liter (ng/L). 

“The content value that we got was not as big as released by the BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency),” said Asep at the City Hall, Central Jakarta, Monday, October 25.

An international study recorded that paracetamol content dominated the Jakarta Bay waters. It was detected in Angke at 610 ng/L and Ancol at 420 ng/L.

The study was published in August 2021 by Marine Pollution Bulletin, which is accessible via www.sciencedirect.com with the title "High concentrations of paracetamol in effluent dominated waters of Jakarta Bay, Indonesia."

Asep admitted there would be an impact from the paracetamol contamination. However, he stopped short of elaborating it as the investigation is still afoot.

The city administration, he went on, would take action against companies suspected of being the source of paracetamol contaminants after the investigation is complete.

“Hopefully when the results of the investigation are completed, we will take action against companies that produce such pollution,” Asep said of the paracetamol contamination in Jakarta Bay.

Read: Paracetamol Contamination in Jakarta Bay, Govt Urged to Take Responsibility

LANI DIANA WIJAYA