Infertility

M.

Khidri Alwi, who coordinated the research in Makassar, said there was a major problem with air pollution in Makassar that could lead to child mortality.

He believed youngsters in Makassar were more aggressive because of the poisonous substance.

Similar lead-blood research is planned in other major cities - Surabaya, Palembang and Medan.

State Ministry for the Environment emissions evaluation head M.

Didin Khaerudin said the ministry supported a nationwide campaign against leaded gasoline.

Such findings should further push the government to intensify its campaign against leaded petrol, he said.

The government is currently designing a strategic plan to improve the air quality in 10 cities - Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Batam, Medan, Denpasar, Lampung, and Palembang.

It was not clear if the plan will include a program to eliminate leaded gasoline.

Safrudin slammed state oil and gas company Pertamina for refusing to phase out leaded gasoline in Indonesia.

In 1996, former president Soeharto was determined to eliminate leaded gasoline by December 1999, but Pertamina used the economic crisis as an excuse to delay the schedule, Safrudin said.

In 2001, Pertamina agreed to phase out leaded gasoline in limited areas, including Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang, B...

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