Pratama Rizqi Ariawan (Sriwijaya University) Environmental Science Assignment

Air Emission in Palembang City: Polluted Smokes Produced by Industrial Activities

Overview

Air emission / air pollution is any substance emitted

into the air from an anthropogenic, biogenic, or

geogenic source, that is either not part of the natural

atmosphere or is present in higher concentrations than

the natural atmosphere, and may cause a short-term or

long-term adverse effect (Daly, A. 2007).

Industrial activities have long been accused in

producing large amount of toxic air. Chemical and

heavy industry including cement, fertilizer, rubber,

plastic and resin, pulp and paper, textile, pesticide, and

steel manufacturer are the largest noxious fumes

generators. Another activity, mining industry, has also

been involved in polluting the fresh air.

The most common source of polluted fumes comes

from its production facilities such as:

Metal smelters (steel refinery process);

Burning fossil fuels for machinery;

Chemical additive during production process.

Air Emission in Palembang

In Palembang, several types of industries that may

produce hazardous fumes are:

Table 1: Types of Industries in Palembang

Type of Industry Number of Companies

Base chemical and Industrial Gasses 2

Cement (Portland type 1) 1

Fertilizer (urea) 1

Metal and Molding (nail, screw and bolt)

2

Plastic and Synthetic Resin 4

Rubber Crumb 9 Source: Ministry of Industry

Recently, Centre for Low Carbon Future (CLCF),

England, conducted a research to analyze the air

pollutions in 4 sectors that are industry, local housing,

domestic waste and transportation. (antaranews.com).

In particular, PT. Pupuk Sriwijaya which produces

fertilizers has been observed to measure the fumes.

The result was worrying, although it was still accepted.

In 2007, data taken from the housing area surrounding

PT. Pusri show that Ammoniac reached 529 µg/Nm3,

Sulphur dioxide 84.33 µg/Nm3, Carbon monoxide 5900

µg/Nm3, Nitrogen Oxide 53.33 µg/Nm

3, and Solid Particle

74 µg/Nm3. It showed that in average, the substances

reached up to a half of maximum save levels.

Standard Requirements of Chemical Substances

Produced by Industrial Activities

Table 2 Chemical Substances

Substances Type of Industry

Accepted level in

24 hours

Health Impact

Ammoniac Fertilizers 500 µg/Nm3 Bronchitis

Sulphur

Dioxide (SOx)

Melting steel

productions 365 µg/Nm3

Irritation of respiration

system

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

All types that use fossil fuels as energy

10.000 µg/Nm3 Narrow breath

Nitrogen Oxide (NOx)

All types that use fossil fuels as energy

150 µg/Nm3 Faint

Hydrocarbon (CH)

Plastic, Resin, Pigment,

Pesticide, and Rubber production

235 µg/Nm3 Lung injury,

Cancer

Chlorine (Cl)

Plastic (PVC), Pulp and Paper, Drinking water sterilization, and

Textile

150 µg/Nm3 Eye

problem, Lung injury

Lead (Pb) Mining 2 µg/Nm3 Headache, Stroke, Eye

problem

Dust / Solid (Suspended Particulate

Matter)

Fertilizer, Mining, Waste recycle (incinerator)

150 µg/Nm3 Lung injury

Source: Ministry of Health

Reducing the Amount of Pollutants

The easiest way to reduce the amount of noxious

fumes is applying an electro precipitator or a scrubber

(a filter that uses liquid, reagent, or slurry to wash

unwanted pollutants) in smokestack/funnel before the

fumes out. Other ways that can be done include:

Using low carbon fuels or coals;

Modify the combustion facilities;

Planting more trees to absorb the gases.

References:

1. Anonym, Parameter Pencemar Udara dan Dampaknya Terhadap

Kesehatan, www.depkes.go.id/downloads/udara.pdf, Accessed

on February 28, 2014.

2. Daly, A, et al. 2007. An Introduction to Air Pollution –

Definitions, Classifications, and History. Chapter 1.

http://www.envirocomp.org/books/chapters/1aap.pdf. Accessed

on February 28, 2014.

3. http://btklplm.wordpress.com/category/kajian-lingkungan/

4. http://www.antaranews.com/berita/394813/lima-universitas-

inggris-kaji-polusi-udara-palembang