Causes Nose And Respiratory Irritation, Doctors Ask Volunteers Around Semeru To Use N95 Masks

Health workers examine residents affected by the hot clouds from Mount Semeru (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - An internal medicine specialist and consultant pulmonologist from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Padjadjaran, Arto Yuwono Soeroto advises volunteers and residents around Mount Semeru, East Java, to wear masks in every activity.

In addition to preventing the transmission of the corona virus that causes COVID-19, masks are needed to avoid the impact of exposure to volcanic dust which contains silica, which can cause respiratory tract disorders.

"For people with no history of lung disease, volcanic ash in an acute condition can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract," said Arto in a press statement received in Bandung, West Java, Antara, Friday, December 10. .

In people who have lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, exposure to volcanic ash will aggravate the disease. Meanwhile, people who are exposed to volcanic ash for a long time are at risk of developing a lung disorder called silicosis.

Therefore, Arto suggested that volunteers who work around Semeru wear N95 masks which have the best ability to filter volcanic ash.

"Ideally wear N95 masks, but everything is associated with supplies and costs," said Arto.

Residents who fled or were around Mount Semeru, he continued, should at least wear a medical mask.

"It is better not to wear cloth masks, because the protection is not great. But if there is no supply of medical masks, cloth masks can be used instead of not wearing them at all," he said.

If possible, he suggested that masks be changed every four hours or when masks are wet. Arto also emphasized the importance of implementing health protocols to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in refugee camps for residents affected by the increased activity of Mount Semeru.

"Don't just prevent dust from entering the refugee camps, but it is also necessary to consider efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19," he said.