T

he administration of Sarolangun regency in Jambi warned residents on Friday about mercury contamination in several rivers in the region caused by illegal gold-mining activities.

Sarolangun Health Agency head M. Adnan said the administration had gathered reports that the Batang Asai, Batang Limun and Batang Tembesi rivers had been polluted by mercury.

Adnan called on people not to bathe in the rivers or to use the water for their daily needs.

The Sarolangun Environment Agency previously released test results on mercury content in the Batang Limun and Batang Asai rivers. It was found that mercury content in the Batang Asai and the headwaters of the Batang Limun stood at 0.003 milligrams per liter and 0.004 milligrams per liter, respectively.

“The tolerance limit of mercury pollution is 0.001 milligrams per liter,” said the agency’s environment quality test and control head Muhammad Syafaat. “Above this level, the water is not suitable for consumption.”

Exposure to mercury can damage the nervous, renal and cardiovascular systems. Exposure primarily occurs through consumption of contaminated fish, although rice and direct exposure to mercury vapor can also be sources.