JAKARTA - Residents of South Tangerang City gathered in a public discussion forum to discuss the worsening air pollution due to the practice of burning garbage and the presence of illegal waste disposal sites (TPS) in residential areas. Air pollution is considered to have a direct impact on public health, especially sensitive groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and sufferers of respiratory diseases.
The discussion highlighted the experiences of residents in dealing with repeated garbage burning in their neighborhoods, the slow follow-up of citizen reports, and the health impacts felt in the long term. A number of air quality monitoring data also show that the concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) in South Tangerang often exceeds the safe threshold recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
One of the representatives of residents and environmental activists from the Peduli Tangsel Movement, Mr. Sigit Priambodo, said that the problem of waste burning had long been felt by residents, but had not been dealt with seriously.
"We almost breathe smoke from burning garbage every day, and small industries in our neighborhood. The impact is not only congestion, but also concerns about the health of children and the elderly. We want the South Tangerang City Government and the Environment Service to really be present, listen to citizen reports, act decisively and visibly, not just promises," he said in a forum titled "Burning Garbage Makes Sesek - Curhat Warga Tangsel Cari Solusi Polusi" which was held as a result of cooperation between Bicara Udara and Universitas Pembangunan Jaya (UPJ), in Ciputat, South Tangerang, Wednesday, January 28.
In the discussion, the exposure from the health side was delivered by the Pulmonary Specialist Doctor, dr. Feni Fitriani Taufik, who emphasized that waste burning is a very dangerous source of air pollution.
"Exposure to smoke from burning garbage produces fine particles and toxic substances that can trigger inflammation of the airways, worsen asthma, and increase the risk of chronic lung disease, especially in children, pregnant women, and the elderly," explained dr. Feni.
Through this discussion, residents agreed on the South Tangerang City Residents' Attitude Statement regarding the Waste and Air Pollution Emergency. Residents assessed that waste burning and the existence of illegal TPS as a failure of governance that violates the right to a clean and healthy environment, and demand the South Tangerang City Government to follow up on public reports seriously and transparently within a maximum of three working days through official channels, including Tangsel Siaga.
Residents also urged the closure of illegal TPS and the cessation of the practice of burning garbage within 14 working days from the verified report, accompanied by strict enforcement of the law. The strengthening of the garbage bank is encouraged as a solution at the local level, with the active role of the Environment Service through regular training, provision of infrastructure, and periodic dialogue with residents.
In addition, the government is asked to open and update data on air pollution-related diseases periodically as a basis for evidence-based policies, as well as increasing the capacity of health services, especially health centers, in dealing with the health impacts of pollution. This statement of position was then signed and will be accompanied as a form of encouragement for local governments to immediately take concrete and measurable steps to protect public health.
The activity was closed with the reading and signing of the citizen's statement of position document. This document will become a reference for joint advocacy and will be actively monitored by residents until the deadline as soon as possible as a form of encouragement for the local government to take real, measurable, and pro-public health protection steps.
"The reporting process for air pollution impacts must be made clear and easy to understand, and announced publicly through social media and online services as a form of government service to its citizens," concluded Sigit.
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