Police using oxygen to counter air pollution threat<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Traffic officers working from 5:30 a.m. to 6
\np.m. now have access to oxygen supplies from a number of mobile
\nunits, City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
\"But this is very limited and is quickly exhausted,\" Iman
\nsaid. He added that the traffic directorate had detailed data on
\nthe problem. The directorate, however, was closed for information
\nyesterday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Some officers had been using masks during their traffic duties
\nbefore oxygen mobile units were introduced.<\/p>\n
Iman, a former traffic officer, said that masks have proved
\nineffective, as they cause difficulty when officers have to use
\ntheir whistles.<\/p>\n
He said police are trying to find the best way to maintain the
\nhealth of traffic officers.<\/p>\n
\"We would welcome any idea, particularly on how to face air
\npollution,\" Iman told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
A police source who requested anonymity said several of his
\nsubordinates working in the traffic section for more than three
\nyears have become infertile.<\/p>\n
Infertility among males is one of the cited effects of
\npollution, resulting from high levels of lead in the blood.<\/p>\n
Iman also said hypertension and breathing difficulties were
\ncommon among traffic police.<\/p>\n
\"They get angry easily,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Most of the diseases here are acute respiratory infections,
\naccording to the city health agency.<\/p>\n
The agency's public relations officer, Mariani, said acute
\nrespiratory infections still lead the list of the city's highest
\ncases of disease. Tuberculosis also still ranks high here, she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Poor nutrition and a bad environment are among reasons why the
\ndiseases have remained the major illnesses here, Mariani said.<\/p>\n
A recent report of the World Health Organization also said
\nthat poor nutrition and poor home environments may increase the
\neffects of lead exposure in many children.<\/p>\n
The effects continue into adulthood, the report said.<\/p>\n
\"There is an urgent need for regulation and replacement of
\nleaded fuels,\" the report, titled \"Creating Healthy Cities in the
\n21st Century\", said.<\/p>\n
Up to 90 percent of airborne lead is traced to leaded fuel,
\naccording to the report.<\/p>\n
A survey in 1991 by the Agency for Assessment and Application
\nof Technology showed that the areas with the highest lead levels
\nincluded the bus terminal areas of Pulo Gadung and Cililitan,
\nEast Jakarta.<\/p>\n
An environment researcher from the University of Indonesia
\nsaid traffic police, officers of the land transport and control
\nagency working in terminals and street vendors should wear masks.<\/p>\n
Exposure to pollutants, Rustamadji reminded, is worse in
\ntraffic congestion.<\/p>\n
Rustamadji cited studies by the University's Research Center
\non Human Resources and Environment, which reported the level of
\nair pollutants in several areas.<\/p>\n
School children who are mostly picked up by cars and traffic
\nand terminal officers are among those particularly exposed,
\nRustamadji said.<\/p>\n
In April, the head of the city tourism agency, Fauzi Bowo,
\nsaid both traffic congestion and pollution are weakening
\nJakarta's competition for tourists.<\/p>\n
He said the city, with convention and exhibition facilities as
\nits selling point, would lose out to neighboring Bangkok and
\nKuala Lumpur if the condition does not improve. (bsr\/anr)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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