Homes Near Toll Roads May Increase Children's Risk of Respiratory Disorders
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDeway) has warned parents to be vigilant regarding air pollution exposure for children living near highways or motorways, as vehicle emissions can increase the risk of health disorders.
Dr Cynthia Centauri, a member of the IDAI Respiratory Coordination Unit, stated that house locations near roads with heavy traffic make children more susceptible to various pollutants from motorised vehicles.
“Having a house on the side of a major highway actually increases the risk of air pollution obtained from road dust or traffic-related air pollution (TRAP),” said Cynthia during an online media seminar titled “The Impact of Air Pollution on Children” on Tuesday.
She explained that vehicle emissions produce various pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM), black carbon, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and even heavy metals, which can be inhaled by residents living nearby.
She noted that pollution exposure does not only originate from highways but can also come from the surrounding environment, such as waste burning, building renovation activities, as well as cigarette smoke and e-cigarettes.
Cynthia shared the case of a three-year-old child who suffered from recurrent respiratory tract infections after their family moved to a new house near a motorway. The condition was exacerbated by waste burning in the neighbourhood, a neighbour’s house renovation, and the father’s habit of using e-cigarettes.
According to her, the accumulation of various pollution sources can increase the risk of respiratory tract infections, trigger asthma and bronchitis, and even reduce lung function in children.
Therefore, Cynthia urged the public to reduce controllable pollution sources, such as not burning waste, not smoking around children, and avoiding taking children to locations undergoing renovation.
Parents are also advised to monitor air quality before outdoor activities and to use masks for children over the age of three when air quality deteriorates.
“Air pollution does not only come from outside the house, but is an accumulation of exposure from the living environment and daily activities that can impact children’s health,” said Cynthia.