Enviro News Asia, Cikande — The Ministry of Environment/National Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) has expedited environmental recovery efforts through the Task Force for Cesium-137 (Cs-137) Radiation Hazard Management, which is currently conducting decontamination around the Modern Industrial Area of Cikande, Serang Regency. For safety reasons, the Serang Regency Government has relocated 27 families from the exposure zone to two designated sites in Sukatani Village, ensuring that basic services remain available.
“Our team will inspect each house to ensure that the decontamination process is complete. For personal items such as mattresses or clothing that need to be retrieved or cleaned, coordination will be managed by the local government,” said Minister of Environment/Head of BPLH and Task Force Chair, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq.
The Task Force operates under the direct command of KLH/BPLH with the involvement of BAPETEN, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Police Bomb Squad (KBRN Gegana), the Indonesian Army’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defense Unit (Nubika TNI AD), and the Serang Regency Government. Its functions include zoning and securing affected areas, conducting technical decontamination, providing relocation and logistics support, managing public risk communication, and monitoring daily radiation levels to ensure that all activities proceed safely, swiftly, and transparently.
In the field, seven out of twelve affected sites outside the industrial area are being decontaminated; five of them will undergo technical sealing through cementing or concrete coating as directed by BAPETEN, due to residual materials despite radiation levels being below 2.5 microsieverts. For areas containing approximately 10,000 cubic meters of material, temporary zinc fencing has been installed to control public movement during the recovery process.
“For sites that cannot be excavated due to depth, cementing will be carried out in accordance with BAPETEN’s recommendations. Meanwhile, areas with around 10,000 cubic meters of material will be temporarily fenced off with zinc panels,” Minister Hanif explained.
KLH/BPLH assured that all Task Force actions comply with radiation safety standards and cross-agency protocols. Residents are advised to remain calm, follow instructions from officers at command posts, and coordinate any personal needs during the relocation period; facilitation is being coordinated with the Serang Regency Government.
“We expect that the decontamination and recovery phases in this village will be completed within approximately 2–3 weeks, God willing. Please remain patient and continue coordinating with the officers,” Minister Hanif added.
Regular updates will be provided to ensure that the media and the public receive accurate information regarding decontamination progress, radiation level reductions, and post-decontamination measures in residential areas. (*)
