Anthrax and HIV-tainted soil found at medical waste dump site in Indonesia, but locals oblivious to risks
29 January 2020, Posted by Tristan
CIREBON, West Java: The village of Panguragan Kulon in Indonesian port city Cirebon is unique in its own way.
Most villagers earn their living by collecting and reselling trash.
Huge sacks of waste are visible along the roads of Panguragan Kulon, many of them appearing to contain bottles.
However, when CNA visited the village in mid-January, a different type of waste was found at the backyard of a house: Medical waste.
Small needles, used hospital infusion bottles, and syringes with dried blood were just a few of the items scattered on the ground.
Dozens of white gunny bags containing other medical waste such as medicine and little glass vials were also filling up a backyard around 150 sq m.
“I rented this house about fifteen months ago. The garbage has always been there,” Mdm Maeti told CNA.
Mdm Maeti, 38, who goes by one name, lives there with her husband and her children aged 13 and 23.
They rented the house for 3 million rupiah (US$220) per year, knowing that the backyard is filled with medical waste. “Let it be … we need the money,” she said.
When it was pointed out that there may be viruses in the waste, she said her family never went to the backyard anyway.
“I am not concerned … We are never sick,” said Mdm Maeti who only finished the second grade of elementary school.
Her lack of concern was despite an investigation that concluded several years ago showing that the soil has been contaminated with various viruses, including traces of anthrax and HIV.
ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME TIED TO MONEY
Due to limited budget, the ministry was not able to dispose of all the medical waste. Instead, it prioritised waste found near rivers and main roads.
“We are still trying to find a solution and because it is medical waste, it cannot be treated carelessly,” Mr Sardjanto said.
It is not clear how the perpetrators had gotten hold of the medical waste.
via: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaZZLIYh28o&feature=youtu.be
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/anthrax-hiv-illegal-medical-waste-indonesia-12295726
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