Workers and Residents in Nickel Industrial Area Contaminated by Mercury and Arsenic

TEMPO.CO, Halmahera - Dozens of blood samples from workers at the Weda Bay Nickel Industrial Park, and the residents around the nickel industrial area located in Weda, Central Halmahera, North Maluku, Indonesia, were found to be contaminated with two heavy metals, mercury and arsenic, exceeding the safe limits. This was revealed by research conducted by the Nexus3 Foundation and Tadulako University, the results of which were announced on Monday, May 26, 2025.

Researcher from the Nexus3 Foundation, Annisa Maharani, stated that the research conducted in July 2024 collected a total of 61 blood samples. Out of this number, 23 showed mercury and arsenic levels exceeding the safe threshold.

The concentration of arsenic in the blood of the residents and workers ranged from 13.2 to 43.7 micrograms per liter, with an average of 22.94 g/L. The safe threshold value for arsenic in the blood is 7.5 g/L.

Meanwhile, the concentration of mercury found varied from 9.6 to 19.3 g/L, with an average of 12.7 g/L. The safe threshold value in the blood should only be 4.3 g/L.

In addition to the 15 workers, the research collected blood samples from residents residing in Desa Gemaf and Lelilef. From the first village, researchers found 12 cases of arsenic contamination and 13 cases of mercury contamination. Nine of them showed both arsenic and mercury contamination at the same time.

Overall, residents of Desa Gemaf had higher average levels of arsenic and mercury in their blood compared to residents of Desa Lelilef and the control group. The nickel levels in the blood of residents in Desa Gemaf were also higher than those in Desa Lelilef, but still within safe limits.

The lead levels in the blood of residents from both villages were relatively similar. "Meanwhile, the average cadmium levels in the blood of residents in Desa Lelilef were 1.75 times higher than in Desa Gemaf, although still below the safe threshold," said Annisa.

In the blood of residents from Desa Gemaf, thallium content was also found, which was not found in other residents, although it was still within safe limits.

Furthermore, Annisa explained that the blood samples were taken at the Lelilef Health Center, Desa Lelilef, on July 6, 2024, and at the Gemaf Sub-Health Center, Desa Gemaf, the following day. The samples were taken using the Toxic Panel package provided by Prodia.

The North Maluku Environmental Agency declined to comment on the continued impact of Nickel industrial activities in Teluk Weda, Central Halmahera. They only stated that they had not yet received the results of the research conducted by Nexus3 Foundation and Tadulako University.

"I don't know yet, I'm still in a meeting with the leaders. Later," said the Head of the Waste Management, Hazardous and Toxic Waste Division, and Capacity Improvement, who is currently the Acting Head of the North Maluku Environmental Agency, Saleh M. Radjiman, when contacted on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

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