The Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) has warned that exposure to\nair pollution can affect lung function in children.<\/p>\n
Dr Cynthia Centauri, a member of the IDAI Respiratory Coordination\nUnit, stated that research conducted in 2024 shows a decline in lung\nfunction among children living in areas with high air pollution. During\nan online seminar titled \u201cThe Impact of Air Pollution on Children\u201d held\nin Jakarta on Tuesday, she reported that 13.3 per cent of school\nchildren in Jakarta areas with high pollution levels experienced a\ndecline in lung function over a six-month period.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom that research, I found that 1s.3 per cent of children who\nappeared healthy, had no activity disturbances, no shortness of breath,\nand attended school normally, already showed a decline in lung\nfunction,\u201d said Cynthia.<\/p>\n
The study also demonstrated that the higher the levels of PM2.5\nparticulate matter in the environment, the greater the impairment of\nlung function found through spirometry examinations used to evaluate\nrespiratory health.<\/p>\n
Cynthia noted that children are more vulnerable to the impacts of air\npollution because they inhale two to three times more air compared to\nadults. As children\u2019s airways are still developing, she stated that lung\ndamage triggered by pollution exposure could persist into adulthood.<\/p>\n
Outdoors, children can be exposed to air pollution from vehicle\nemissions, waste burning, industrial activities, and forest fires.\nIndoors, Cynthia explained that children can be exposed to pollutants\nfrom cigarette smoke, vaping, dust, paint, varnish, glue, and Volatile\nOrganic Compounds (VOCs).<\/p>\n
Cynthia added that children living near main roads are at higher risk\nof being affected by Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP). According to\nher, exposure to air pollution can trigger respiratory tract infections,\nasthma, bronchitis, decreased lung function, as well as disorders in the\nheart, blood vessels, and the nervous system.<\/p>\n
To reduce the impact of air pollution on children\u2019s health, Cynthia\nsuggested that activities such as burning waste or smoking and vaping\nshould not be performed near children. Additionally, children should be\nkept away from areas with high air pollution and should wear masks if\nnecessary.<\/p>\n
The use of air purifiers and the planting of vegetation that can help\nreduce pollutants in residential environments are also viable options to\nmitigate the health impacts of air pollution on children.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/air-pollution-exposure-can-impair-childrens-lung-function-1783418181", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }