January 5, 2008

Locals not worried about Puspiptek

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang

In Indonesia, the development of nuclear energy is often viewed as a frightening concept.

However, residents who live in close proximity to the Research Center of Science and Technology (Puspitek) in Serpong, Tangerang, go about their daily lives with little fuss.

The center is home to a nuclear laboratory in which various studies are conducted for industrial and scientific purposes.

"It is business as usual here. We have no idea what is going on inside the center anyway," Aimar, 41, a local resident, told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

He said his neighbors were also not concerned about nuclear accidents or research activities inside the center as they had lived safely in the area for years.

Didi Achmadi, 34, who owns a shop near the center, agreed that local residents were not concerned about what went on behind the center's walls.

"We know it is a center for scientific research and development. Those who work for the institute live inside the complex with their families, so I don't see any reason to worry," he said.

Located 30 kilometers west of Jakarta on a 460-hectare plot of land, Puspitek Serpong employs some 1,500 researchers.

As it is home to many researchers and their families, the center also has its own water treatment facilities, waste disposal system, sports facilities, mosques and education centers.

Didi said the only lingering fear residents held was that one day there could be another explosion at the center.

An explosion occurred at the center last September when a group of researchers conducted a series of experiments on biodiesel simulation in a laboratory used for the development of nuclear technology.

The explosion damaged 80 percent of the laboratory, causing damage totaling Rp 3.1 billion (approximately US$332,000).

Several non-governmental organizations have made claims that long-term residents of the area may have come into contact with radioactive waste. Last year one such organization said hundreds of elementary school students had come into contact with heavy metal and sulfur.

However, a series of blood tests carried out by the National Atomic Energy Agency (Batan) uncovered no irregularities.

The agency is a subsidiary of the center in charge of nuclear studies.

Separately, Tangerang Health Agency official Hani Heryanto said his team monitored pollution levels around the research center each September.

Hani said students who lived inside the complex were generally healthier than those who lived in other residential areas.

"We conducted a series of blood tests and found that the blood of students who lived far from the center contained higher amounts of lead than students who lived inside the center," he said.

Batan head Hudi Hastowo said the center guaranteed the safety of its projects by adhering to nuclear quality assurance standards as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency's infrastructure standards.

"We have been developing the research center in Serpong since 1984. The research center building meets international safety standards," he said.