Cilegon, Banten (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Environment is conducting an in-depth study and scientific consultations regarding the impact of nitric acid (HNO3) exposure on residents related to the incident at PT Vopak Terminal Merak, Cilegon, Banten.Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said the study is crucial to ensure that public health impacts are addressed comprehensively and fairly.”Nitric acid, which is highly corrosive, can decompose into nitrates. We will investigate the extent of its impact on exposed individuals,” he remarked on Wednesday.He emphasized that the business actors responsible for the exposure of 56 residents cannot be absolved of responsibility and will face government demands.His office will carry out an additional review if the current handling is considered inadequate in delivering justice to the local community.Nurofiq stated that the investigation will include technical studies and expert consultations to calculate the environmental impact based on the duration and extent of exposure.The Ministry also signaled the possibility of settling the lawsuit through mediation without halting the ongoing legal process.He added that this approach is mandated by law to balance environmental restoration with public health protection. On January 31, thick, brownish-yellow smoke suspected to be from the chemical storage plant caused panic among residents of the Cikuasa neighborhood.The smoke and pungent odor led to health issues such as dizziness and nausea, requiring medical treatment at the Pulomerak Community Health Center. Cilegon Police Chief, Adjunct Senior Commissioner (AKBP) Martua Raja Taripar Laut Silitonga, explained that the incident was not caused by an installation leak, but rather by a pipe-cleaning process.This involved a chemical reaction where nitric acid was pushed by nitrogen gas toward a scrubber. The liquid then mixed with base oil in a container; when the lid was opened, gas mixed with orange smoke emerged. According to data from the Cilegon City Environmental Agency, air quality laboratory tests on February 1 showed oxygen levels at 20.9 percent, still within the safe threshold of 19.5 percent and 23.5 percent. Meanwhile, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels were measured at 0.6 ppm, well below the lower limit of 10 ppm and the upper limit of 20 ppm. Carbon monoxide (CO) levels were recorded at 1.9 ppm, below the 35–70 ppm threshold.