Diabetes Drug Metformin & โฃMicroplastics found in Jakarta Waterways
Jakarta, Indonesia – Emerging research โreveals a concerning new layer of pollution โขin Jakarta’s water systems: the presence of metformin, a common diabetes medication, alongside previously identified microplastics. Researchers warnโค these contaminants pose โpotential long-term health risks and highlightโ gaps in current environmental โregulations.
A recent study led by researcher Koagouw found metformin accumulating in theโ Angke river. This is particularly alarming as theโข drug is difficult to โขdecompose naturally, leading to potential re-entry into the food chain through contaminated water used for irrigation, โfisheries, and even drinking water. “In the โขlong term, exposure to metformin residues can pose a serious โขriskโ to human health, although the exact impact is still being researched,” Koagouw stated. Currently, metformin is not included on the government’s list โขof regulated dangerousโข substances despite existing regulations for river water and โคwaste quality. Koagouw concluded the findings demonstrate pharmaceuticals are becoming โคa new type ofโ pollutant in Jakarta’s dailyโฃ water cycle, alongside other contaminants like paracetamol,โ previously detected in Jakarta bay.
The revelation builds on earlier research from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). Inโข October 2025, BRIN researcher Muhammad reza Cordova revealed theโข presence of โขdangerous microplastic particles in Jakarta’s โrainwater, โoriginatingโข fromโฃ sources like synthetic โคclothing fibers, vehicle โฃand tire dust,โค burning plastic waste, and plastic degradation. Research conducted since 2022 โconsistently found microplastics in every rainwater โขsample collected in โขthe capital.
Cordova emphasized the potential health impacts ofโค microplastic exposure, citing global โฃstudies that linkโ it to oxidative stress, hormonal disorders, and tissue damage. He clarified, “What โขis toxic is not the โฃrainwater, but the microplasticโข particles โคin it as it contains โฃchemical additives or โabsorbs other pollutants.” Rainwater contaminated wiht microplastics also threatens to further pollute surface and marine water sources, ultimately entering โthe food chain.
