Study on Coal Ash Involves Experts

The government has said that the removal of coal ash from the category of hazardous waste is based on scientific testing by experts. The waste can be used as a construction material and in other applications.

Kompas/Priyombodo

Barges loaded with coal cross the Mahakam river, Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Monday (8/3/2021).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The government has said that a regulation related to the removal of coal ash from the category of toxic and hazardous (B3) waste has gone through a series of tests by experts. Even though it is no longer classified as B3 waste, the management and utilization of coal ash for a number of activities will still be closely monitored.

The director general for garbage, waste and B3 management at the Environment and Forestry Ministry, Rosa Vivien Ratnawati, said that according to the study, fly ash and bottom ash (FABA) from Steam-fired Power Plant (PLTU) activities was nonflammable at temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit and non-explosive. The results of a heavy metal concentration test with 16 parameters also showed that the FABA met the quality standard according to a regulation in an attachment to Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation No. 10/2020 on procedures for characteristics testing and the determination of the status of hazardous waste.