Indonesia Expected to Lose 2.5 years of Life Expectancy Over Household Air Pollution: BRIN Research

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Principal Expert Researcher at the Center for Public Health and Nutrition Research at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Ristrini said that Indonesian people’s awareness of indoor or household air pollution is still relatively low. 

"The Indonesian population is estimated to lose 2.5 years of life expectancy due to current air pollution," said Ristrini, quoted from a press release, on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

According to her, the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) showed that PM2.5 concentration reached 34.3 μg per cubic meter. "The sources and activities that cause household air pollution are cigarette smoke, motor vehicle fumes, kitchen gas, dust, chemicals from household products, cooking fuel, and household waste management,” she explained. "The activities that cause an increase in household air pollution include cooking, cleaning dust, and the use of chemical products." 

Ristrini said the impact of household air pollution on health includes eye, nose, and throat irritation. People are also at risk of respiratory problems, asthma, bronchitis, and even cancer. Infants, children, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of household air pollution, as well as people with certain health conditions.

Ristrini explained that some preventive actions can be taken to reduce household air pollution. These are avoiding smoking in the house, using a gas stove with efficient combustion equipment, and preventing motor vehicle fumes from entering the house.

"Additionally, clean the dust regularly with a vacuum cleaner or wet cloth, use environmentally friendly cleaning products to reduce the use of products containing dangerous chemicals, and avoid burning waste," she said.

Another thing, she went on, is ensuring the room has good ventilation and removing dirty air in the rooms. “Perform routine maintenance on household appliances that use fuel, such as gas stoves, grills, and water heaters to ensure that they function properly and do not produce toxic gases. Use an air purifier with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter to clean the air of dangerous particles," said Ristrini. 

She added that certain ornamental plants can help filter the air in the room. Ristrini also urged residents to maintain the humidity level in the house, because high humidity can cause the growth of mold and dust mites.

“It is important for every individual to realize that household air pollution can harm the health and comfort of residents," she concluded.

IRSYAN HASYIM

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