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The Causes
Water pollution is mostly caused by untreated waste disposal. West Java's poor waste-disposal structure has made the river a dumpsite for its residents. Everyday, hundreds of textile factories discharge their untreated waste into the Citarum River. Their waste contains toxic chemicals such as arsenic and dye. Large amounts of plastic, rubber, and other materials float on the surface of the water and accumulate in stinking piles along its banks. Half of the waste produced by major cities such as Bandung and Jakarta is discharged into the river. Due to the lack of sanitation, untreated human waste flows into the river, along with pesticides from various rice farms. The Citarum River also contains high levels of mercury, manganese, chromium, cadmium, and lead. The Effects The contaminated river has devastating effects on the nearby environment. About 60% of the residents living near the river have persistent skin infections. If left untreated, the skin infection could turn into skin cancer. Consuming high levels of mercury, lead, and chromium are fatal for humans and the marine life. These toxic chemicals can cause kidney failure, circulatory problems, skin infections, and cancer. If these chemicals are consumed by the marine life and wildlife, they will cause death. The organic compounds and pesticides discharged from various rice farms are capable of disrupting your hormone properties and can cause birth defects. Due to the health risk, the farmers had to sell the rice they produced for almost half the price. Hazardous chemicals in the water are causing many fish to die. In some places, the water has a pH of 14 (the most basic on the "property of hydrogen" or pH scale). A pH of 14 is capable of burning human flesh. |
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