Air pollution is an environmental problem that has an impact on health. Air pollution is a condition where the air is contaminated by a complex mixture of chemically modified particles and gases in the atmosphere. Air pollutants include all toxic particles and gases that can come from various sources, including vehicle emissions, industrial processes, household sectors such as burning biomass and cigarettes, and natural disasters such as forest fires and volcanic eruptions.
Air pollution has a negative impact on health and increases the burden of disease and death. In the respiratory system, air pollution can disrupt lung defense mechanisms, weaken the body's immune response, and trigger inflammatory reactions. Air pollution causes an increased risk of attacks and relapses in individuals with chronic diseases such as asthma.
Five types of respiratory diseases with the highest mortality rates
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Pneumonia
- Lung cancer
- Turberculosis
- Asthma
Apart from respiratory diseases, long-term exposure to air pollutants has also been proven to cause various types of other diseases, including cardiovascular, neurological, psychological, skin and child development disorders. Air pollution is one of the factors that triggers cardiovascular disorders in the form of stroke, hypertension, heart failure and coronary heart disease.
Prevention of air pollution
- Using a mask
- Avoid spending time outdoors when the air quality is poor
- Using purified water indoors
Apart from that, it plays an important role in overcoming and preventing air pollution, namely by using public transportation to reduce pollution from private cars, tree planting can also be done to reduce pollution because trees and plants can absorb dangerous pollutant substances.
Efforts to control air pollution as an environmental problem require cooperation from all cross-sectoral elements, including the community, health workers and the government. All parties have a responsibility to create clean and healthy air.
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Article written by Dr. Handoko Gunawan, Sp.P, FCCP (Lung Specialist Doctor at Grha Kedoya Hospital)