Air Pollution Threatens Health All Ages, Ministry Of Health Urges The Public To Be More Alert

Air pollution is now one of the biggest health threats in urban areas, including in Indonesia. Bad air quality, both outdoors and indoors, can trigger various diseases, ranging from respiratory problems to cardiovascular problems.

Smooth particles such as PM2.5 scattered in the air are able to penetrate the respiratory tract and enter the bloodstream, thus having a serious impact on human health from all ages, from infants to the elderly.

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia emphasized that exposure to air pollution, both from outside and indoors, has bad consequences for health, especially respiratory tracts.

"Currently, the indicator that most represents the bad impact of air quality on respiratory health is the increase in cases of Acute Respiratory Channel Infection (ARI)," said Head of the Ministry of Health's Public Communication and Information Bureau, Aji Muhawarman, as quoted by ANTARA.

Aji explained that continuous exposure to pollutants, especially in areas with high levels of pollution such as Jakarta, is very dangerous for pregnant women. The risks that can occur include the birth of a baby with a low weight, impaired fetal growth, premature birth, and the risk of a baby being born in a condition of death.

Not only that, but babies also have the potential to experience developmental disorders such as neurotube defects and body growth disorders.

Meanwhile, children and adolescents who are exposed to pollution in the long term are prone to chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and ARI, as well as an increased risk of metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance. In the elderly, the impact is more serious, including risk of stroke, heart disease, chronic bronchitis, DNA damage, and other lung disorders.

According to the Ministry of Health, the main causes of indoor air pollution include the use of solid fuels such as firewood for cooking, cigarette smoke, and chemicals from household products. Meanwhile, outdoor pollution is mostly triggered by motor vehicle emissions, industrial activities, as well as forest and land fires.

Historical data show a correlation between increased air pollution and the surge in ARI cases in DKI Jakarta. Based on the analysis of PM2.5 particles, from 2022 to mid-2025, the average air quality in the capital city often exceeds the set threshold, which is 25 micrograms per cubic meter.

The worst condition was recorded in June 2025 with PM2.5 concentration of 46.6 micrograms/m3. On the other hand, the lowest figure occurred in March with a value of 22.6 micrograms/m3. Uniquely, the highest number of ARI cases occurred in March 2025 as many as 293,852 cases, and the lowest was in June with 172,206 cases.

Seeing this fact, the Ministry of Health invites the public to be more concerned about air quality by utilizing air monitoring applications, using air clarity tools at home, and avoiding polluting sources including cigarette smoke.

Other recommended preventive measures include limiting outdoor activities when the air quality index worsens, using protective masks, and implementing a healthy lifestyle as a form of long-term protection.

For information, based on real-time monitoring from the IQAir website on Wednesday at 12.15 WIB, air quality in Jakarta was recorded at 63, with PM2.5 concentration of 15.9 micrograms/m3. This figure is still 3.2 times higher than the annual threshold recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

As a very small particle (under 2.5 microns), PM2.5 is able to enter the respiratory system into the lungs and blood flow. This long-term exposure to particles is closely related to the increased risk of early death, especially in people with chronic heart and lung disease.

Jakarta was also ranked 59th in the list of big cities with the worst air quality in the world according to IQAir on the same day.