Unlike ordinary waste burning smoke, forest and land fire (karhutla)\nsmoke often travels hundreds of kilometres (transboundary haze) and\npersists in the atmosphere for extended periods. Its contents,\nespecially fine particulates, have the ability to penetrate the human\nbody\u2019s natural defence systems, making it one of the most deadly\npollutants for public health.<\/p>\n
To understand why this smoke is so dangerous, we must examine its\ncomposition. Generally, forest fire smoke contains several hazardous\ncomponents. Exposure to forest fire smoke for a short period can\nimmediately trigger bodily reactions. The most common symptoms include\nrespiratory irritation and eye discomfort.<\/p>\n
If exposure occurs repeatedly or over a long duration (weeks to\nmonths), the risk increases to more serious health problems, such as\nchronic respiratory issues and increased risks of lung cancer due to\nmicro-particles settling in the alveoli. Furthermore, exposure to forest\nfire smoke poses serious dangers to fetal safety in pregnant women.<\/p>\n
Health expert from ULM, Syamsuit Arifin, warned that the dangers of\nhaze and PM2.5 can trigger heart attacks and even sudden death. The most\nvulnerable groups to the dangers of smoke are children, the elderly,\npregnant women, and individuals with histories of heart or lung\ndisease.<\/p>\n
As air quality deteriorates due to forest fires, the following\npreventive measures are highly recommended to minimise risk: monitoring\nair quality, using appropriate personal protective equipment, and\nmaintaining health discipline. The danger of forest fire smoke is not a\nthreat that can be taken lightly; its impact goes beyond mere visual\nimpairment or unpleasant odours; it is a serious public health\nthreat.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/understanding-the-hidden-threats-behind-forest-fire-smoke-1789055588", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }