Air pollution has recently become a big concern, especially in Jakarta and its surrounding areas. Air pollution is not only an environmental problem, but also has an impact on human health. There are a number of respiratory diseases caused by air pollution with a high prevalence.
Based on data from the Global Burden Diseases 2019 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators, there are 5 respiratory diseases that cause the highest mortality in the world, namely chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, lung cancer, tuberculosis, and asthma. While in Indonesia, out of the 10 diseases with the most cases, 4 of them are respiratory diseases, including COPD, lung cancer, pneumonia, and asthma. By 2030, the World Health Organization estimates that COPD will be the third leading cause of premature death worldwide. The condition is usually associated with smoking, but research suggests that in the case of non-smokers, air pollution (including diesel fumes) may be to blame.
Air pollution is environmental contamination that alters the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. Household combustion appliances, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires are common sources of air pollution. Pollutants of major public health concern include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Air pollution can cause respiratory and other illnesses in children, adults, and the elderly.
Exposure to air pollution is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in human cells, which can be the basis of chronic diseases and cancer. In 2013, WHO classified air pollution as a human carcinogen. Research on air pollution and health effects continues to grow. Public health concerns now include cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity, as well as reproductive, nervous and immune system disorders.
In the face of this situation, there are several tips to stay healthy, including:
1. Check the air quality where you are or do activities
2. Avoid outdoor activities in places where the air quality is not good or the traffic is heavy
3. Consider using an air purifier to improve the air quality in the room
4. Wear a mask especially when doing outdoor activities
5. Eat nutritious food and take supplements (if needed) to boost the body's immunity and fight free radicals
Chairman of the Indonesian Lung Doctors Association, Prof. dr. Agus Dwi Susanto, emphasized the importance of prevention in efforts to overcome air pollution problems. The problem of air pollution cannot be handled by one or two parties alone, but requires cooperation from all elements, including the community.
Image: Illustration (Source: rawpixel - Freepik)
Reference:
1. Ministry of Health. Air pollution causes high number of respiratory diseases [Internet]. 2023 Apr 04. Available from: https://www.kemkes.go.id/article/view/23040400001/polusi-udara-sebabkan-angka-penyakit-respirasi-tinggi.html
2. Kementerian Kesehatan. Perubahan kecil akibat polusi udara di dalam tubuh kita [Internet]. 2018 Aug 23. Available from: https://p2ptm.kemkes.go.id/artikel-penyakit/perubahan-kecil-akibat-polusi-udara-di-dalam-tubuh-kita
3. World Health Organization. Air pollution [Internet]. Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_1
4. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Air pollution and your health [Internet]. Available from: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/air-pollution/index.cfm
