Protect Children From Air Pollution Threats, These Are Real Steps Parents Can Take

JAKARTA - In the midst of increasingly worrying air quality, children are one of the most vulnerable groups to their impacts. Especially when they start to return to their activities in school, protection from exposure to air pollution is very important for parents to pay attention to.

Head of the Communication and Public Information Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Aji Muhawarman, emphasized that exposure to pollution both from within and outside the room risks causing serious health problems for all age groups. However, children and adolescents are among the most vulnerable.

"Air pollution can cause various health problems such as acute respiratory tract infections (ARI), asthma, lung disorders, heart disease, to insulin resistance, especially in children and adolescents," said Aji as quoted by ANTARA.

To minimize this risk, Aji suggested that parents routinely check air quality conditions through official government channels, such as BMKG. If the air quality index is at an unhealthy level, children are advised to wear masks of the right size, especially when doing activities outdoors.

He also emphasized the importance of limiting activities outside the home, especially when pollutants are increasing. According to him, children should avoid staying out of the room for too long if they are not urgent.

If the child shows symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, runny eyes, or stuffy noses that can indicate pollution exposure, then it is better to immediately consult a health facility to get the right treatment.

No less important, parents are also advised to ensure that their child's nutritional intake is met. Nutrients rich in antioxidants are needed to strengthen the immune system and help the body fight the adverse effects of air pollution.

As part of national efforts, the Ministry of Health continues to contribute through various initiatives. One of them is health promotion which includes education about preventing pollution exposure and implementing the "2M" protocol through the One Healthy Application.

The 2M protocol consists of:

Wear a mask when you are outside the house or in an area with a high level of pollution.

Conducting consultations both online and directly with medical personnel if there are respiratory complaints or related symptoms.

The government also provides an early warning system (EWS) to monitor and inform air quality conditions periodically through the official BMKG platform. This step aims to make the public more vigilant and take preventive action.

Not only that, the Ministry of Health also encourages active community participation in reducing health risks due to pollution, especially among vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with comorbidities.

The public is also invited to familiarize themselves with wearing masks outdoors, and to apply a clean and healthy lifestyle as part of the long-term protection of pollutants.