Cemaran

Cemaran is a term used in Indonesian to denote contamination or impurities that compromise the purity or quality of substances, products, or environments. It can occur in many contexts, including environmental media, workplaces, food, medicine, and manufacturing.

In environmental science, cemaran refers to unwanted substances such as chemical pollutants, heavy metals, pesticides, or biological contaminants in air, water, or soil. In manufacturing and quality control, cemaran denotes residual impurities or foreign matter in raw materials, intermediates, or finished products, which may affect performance, safety, or shelf life. In food and pharmaceuticals, contamination can be microbial (bacteria, fungi) or chemical (toxins, contaminants like lead, solvents).

Detection and regulation: Cemaran levels are measured by analytical techniques such as chromatography, spectrometry, or microbiological assays. Standards and permissible limits are defined by national or international authorities (for example Indonesian National Standard SNI, ISO, EU regulations, FDA). Risk assessment considers exposure, toxicity, and hazard characterization.

Prevention and management: Good manufacturing practices, sanitation, proper sourcing, process controls, environmental monitoring, and rapid detection help minimize cemaran. In environmental policy, cleanup and remediation strategies address contaminated sites.

Etymology: The word derives from Indonesian/Malay "cemar" meaning dirty; "cemaran" translates to contamination.