Doctor Speaks on Harmful Diseases That Air Pollution Causes
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1 August 2019 10:48 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chairman of the Indonesian Lung Doctors Association (PDPI) Agus Dwi Susanto said that the exposure to air pollution may cause a person to contract diseases caused by carcinogenic pollutants such as lung cancer.
Agus explained that research by the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded the harmful diseases that come from a person’s constant exposure to air pollution in the long run.
“Air pollution is linked to pulmonary and respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, heart diseases, and stroke,” said Agus in a press conference at Cipinang Bunder, East Jakarta yesterday.
Meanwhile, the effects on children according to Agus is an increased risk of deteriorating of lung function, cancer, hampering a child’s mental and motoric development, up to cognitive impairment.
Agus maintains that air pollution does cause a drop in productivity among members of society, especially if people are exposed to pollution in their daily life for years. However, he said that indoor pollutant such as cigarette smoke is also a significant cause of lung cancer.
“Lung cancer based on percentage is 86 percent caused by inhaling cigarette smoke and 4 percent for air pollution,” he said.
M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH
