Air pollution in cities a big problem indoors: Survey

JAKARTA (JP): Air pollution in cities is worsening at such a rate that, unless it is properly addressed, people will soon have to pay for clean air, environmentalists warned yesterday.

"People pollute the air in their daily activities but many don't realize it until (the level) of oxygen drops in their environment," Dana Mitra Lingkungan's executive director, Eka Budianta, told a discussion on indoor air quality at the State Ministry of Environment's office.

The discussion heard the findings of a recent air pollution survey in Jakarta by an Australian indoor air quality expert, John Charlick, and local policeman Alvons LM.

Charlick had taken samples to prove air contamination. Alvons placed laboratory plates in a five-star hotel for two hours. The hotel in Jakarta had a centralized air conditioner.

Alvons then sealed the plates to stop more air entering. After a day, stinky greenish-blue fungus had spread all over the plates.

Charlick said sources of indoor air pollution included the occupants and their activities, building materials, microorganisms and the infiltration of outside contamination.

Cigarette smoke was a pollutant because cigarettes contained many poisonous chemicals, such as formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, nicotine and an assortment of heavy metals and pesticides, he said.

Carpet in hotels, offices and houses could also directly affect occupant's health because it released toxins from dust and bacteria. Carpet was known to act as a medium for microbiological contamination and growth, Charlick said.

Air conditioners circulated contaminated air, as seen on the plates. Even office material, equipment and furnishings caused it, he said.

The State Ministry of Environment's global environment chief, Sutamihardja, said the effects of pollution may only be felt after 10 to 20 years.

To anticipate long-term effects, Sutamihardja said, people should control their indoor environment.

The ministry has issued a regulation on air quality standards but has found it difficult to implement.

"We will step up partnerships between the government, NGOs, industries and businesses," he said.

The government's efforts to curb pollution have been closely scrutinized by NGOs and the public.

The Indonesian Center for Environmental Law called on the House of Representatives yesterday to start a public debate on ways to improve the environment law.

The House and the government are scheduled to begin deliberating a bill on the environment today.

"Legislators should as soon as possible hold a public hearing and open debate to improve the law," the center's spokesperson Siti Megadianty Adam told The Jakarta Post.

The government-sponsored bill, submitted on Jan. 29, is meant to amend the 1982 Environment Law that is considered weak and outdated.

Megadianty said the House should give people a chance to participate in the bill's deliberation.

"It's in line with what (State Minister of Environment) Sarwono Kusumaatmadja has often talked about on the need for discussions on environmental issues," she said. (aan/39)