Five Sources of Pollution Most Dangerous for Children, Parents Must Be Vigilant
Indonesia continues to face serious problems regarding air quality. Based on IQ Air data in 2025, Indonesia is among the 17 countries with the highest levels of air pollution in the world. Amidst these conditions, children are the most vulnerable group affected.
Paediatric specialist and child respirologist Dr Cynthia Centauri explained that children inhale two to three times more air than adults, resulting in a greater intake of pollutants. Their lungs also continue to develop until young adulthood, meaning damage occurring during childhood can be permanent.
“This is why children are more vulnerable to pollutants than adults. It must be remembered that lung damage or disorders during childhood can persist into adulthood,” Dr Cynthia said during a discussion held by the Indonesian Paediatric Society (IDAI) on Tuesday (7/7/2026).
Here are the sources of air pollution that threaten children and their impacts, according to Dr Cynthia:
- Vehicle Emissions
Vehicle emissions are one of the main sources of pollution in Indonesia. Transport fuel produces nitrogen oxides, which are toxic. When inhaled by children, these substances can trigger inflammation and oedema in the respiratory tract, increase the risk of allergies, trigger respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis, and worsen symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She explained that emission pollutants can also cause inflammation and damage to the respiratory tract, coughing, an itchy throat, pain during deep breathing, and exacerbate asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
- Ground-level Ozone
Ground-level ozone is formed when pollutants like vehicle smoke and industrial emissions react with sunlight and hot temperatures. This toxic gas triggers smog and is hazardous to human health. Exposure to ground-level ozone can cause inflammation and damage to the respiratory tract, leading to symptoms such as coughing, an itchy throat, and pain when taking a deep breath. It can also worsen existing respiratory complaints or disorders.