Jakarta, IO – Every time I exit the Kebayoran Lama train station, the sky goes cloudy as if it would rain soon, far as the eye can see. However, it is not cloud or fog, but smoky pollution.
In fact, on Tuesday, 8 August 2023, the Jakarta accumulative air pollution index measures 164, while according to the WHO Air Quality Guidelines for Particulate Matter, Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide And Sulfur Dioxide, the safe threshold for PM2.5 exposure is 25 μg/m3/24 hour. According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, the current air pollution range level of 151-250 μg/m3 is extremely unhealthy.
We all need to be concerned more about air pollution, because it negatively affects human health, both in the short and long term. According to the 2019 IHME Global Burden of Disease, air pollution is the fifth biggest cause of death in Indonesia after hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and obesity.
“Never underestimate the impact of air pollution. It strongly affects your health negatively. Unfortunately, people tend to ignore these effects,” warns Prof. Dr. dr. Agus Dwi Susanto, Sp.P(K), University of Indonesia Faculty of Medicine’s Professor of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine in the “Potential Illnesses Because of Air Pollution” online media briefing organized by the Indonesian Doctors’ Association Top Management, Tuesday (8/8/2023).
The Professor went on to explain that air pollution may occur indoors or outdoors. Indoor pollution is generally caused by cigarette and cooking smoke, while outdoor pollution is generally caused by vehicle exhaust and industrial activities.
There are four types of commonly-found pollutants that we all need to be wary for: particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide. PM2.5 are air particles that are equal to or smaller than 2.5 µm (micrometer) in size. They cause obstruction in the respiratory system and may damage the organs if they enter the blood circulation and accumulate.
Short- and Long-Term Impacts
Air pollution exposure may cause acute or short-term impacts, such as reddened eyes, runny nose, sneezing, inflammations, throat pains, coughing, and phlegm. In people suffering from certain diseases, air pollution exposure can worsen their illness. Prolonged, frequent exposure to air pollution may damage the lungs. Chronic air pollution exposure may increase the risk of allergies, chronic obstructive lung disease, and even lung cancer.
Air pollution potentially increases the risk of an asthma attack or heart attack among people with a history of these illnesses. Furthermore, it increases the frequency of visits to the Emergency Ward because of sudden obstruction in the respiratory system and the heart.
“Studies performed in Persahabatan Central Public Hospital in 2019 shows a strong correlation between bad air quality and prevalence and severity of asthma cases. The higher the air pollution level, the more numerous and more severe the asthma cases being reported,” Prof. Agus warns.
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Exposure to air pollution can also affect the cognitive level of children. Studies show that air pollution may slow down children’s informational and sensory perception. The memory, attention, and motoric coordination levels of children frequently exposed to air pollution are lower than for children who have less, or even no, exposure to air pollution.
In order to minimize air pollution exposure and the negative impacts attached to it, Prof. Agus suggests that people reduce their level of outdoor activities, avoid strenuous outdoor physical activities, and regularly wear filter masks when going out. (est)