December 6, 2024/
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60 Percent of People’s Diseases are Caused by Air Pollution
Air pollution, particularly from vehicular emissions, is a significant source of diseases today. In Jakarta, Indonesia, diseases related to vehicular emissions and air pollution, including acute respiratory infection, bronchial asthma, bronchitis, and eye and skin irritations, were reported in 63% of total visits to healthcare centers.
Budi Haryanto, researcher from the Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia, has conducted extensive studies on this issue. In one of his studies, he stated:
“Air pollutant in Jakarta is a high-risk factor for acute respiratory diseases in children.”
The study’s objective is to determine the effect of air pollution on respiratory diseases among elementary school children in Jakarta. His findings suggest that improved air quality monitoring, better quality gasoline, reduced traffic congestion, and promotion of better public transport and green energy can significantly reduce the health risks associated with air pollution.
In addition to his role as a researcher, Budi Haryanto also serves as the Head of the Research Center for Climate Change at Universitas Indonesia (RCCC-UI). In this capacity, he has also spoken about the impact of pollution on both physical and mental health in the long and short term. He stated that approximately 60% of diseases that humans generally suffer from originate from exposure to air pollution.
“Compare this with diseases caused by consumption through the mouth. That’s only about 15%”
In a conversation with Katadata Green at the UI Multidisciplinary Lab, he mentioned that in the short term, cough, flu, and throat inflammation are common in people exposed to air pollution. Meanwhile, long-term diseases have the potential to be more chronic.
In another study, Haryanto suggested that air pollution, including Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5, was one of the primary contributors to COVID-19 fatalities worldwide. The study found that long-term exposure to PM 2.5 showed a positive correlation with COVID-19 mortality, suggesting that COVID-19 mortality is more strongly influenced by prolonged PM 2.5 exposure rather than short-term exposure alone.
These findings highlight the critical role of air pollution in causing diseases and the urgent need for measures to improve air quality.
Urgent Need for Action Against Pollution in South Tangerang
As of 2024, South Tangerang has been identified as the most polluted city in Indonesia according to a Swiss air quality technology company that provides real-time air pollution data and solutions for monitoring air quality, IQAIR. This alarming situation is largely attributed to industrial emissions, heavy traffic, and the burning of waste. These factors have contributed to high levels of particulate matter PM 2.5, which lead to severe health issues such as respiratory infections, cardiovascular diseases, and other chronic illnesses.
Air pollution is one of the greatest environmental risks to health. By reducing air pollution levels, countries can reduce the burden of disease from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma. In 2019, 99% of the world’s population was living in places where the WHO air quality guidelines levels were not met. The combined effects of ambient air pollution and household air pollution are associated with 6.7 million premature deaths annually. Ambient (outdoor) air pollution alone is estimated to have caused 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2019, with 89% of these premature deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries, primarily in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions. Policies and investments supporting cleaner transport, energy-efficient homes, power generation, industry, and better municipal waste management would reduce key sources of outdoor air pollution. Access to clean household energy would also greatly reduce ambient air pollution in some regions.
Dire Consequences if Immediate Action is Not Taken
If immediate action is not taken, the consequences will be dire. Increased pollution levels will continue to degrade air quality, exacerbating health problems and reducing the quality of life for residents. Long-term exposure to pollutants like PM2.5 has been linked to higher mortality rates, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, where prolonged exposure to air pollution worsened outcomes for those infected . The economic impact will also be significant, with rising healthcare costs and decreased productivity due to illness.
Educating Future Generations: A Key Solution
To address this crisis, it is crucial to educate future generations and the youth about the importance of taking care of our climate. This can be achieved through initiatives that promote understanding and proactive behaviors such as recycling, reducing vehicle use, and supporting clean energy alternatives. Education needs to be delivered through effective learning methods that instill a subconscious awareness and deep care for the environment in young minds.
The Role of Gamification in Environmental Education
One effective method for achieving this is through gamification. Gamified learning, designed by game development experts like Level Up powered by Agate, offers an impactful way to educate the youth. For instance, Level Up powered by Agate has collaborated with CIFOR to create the Landscape Game, an online board game that educates players about carbon capture, storage, and environmental conservation. This game simulates real-world scenarios, allowing players to manage landscapes sustainably while balancing economic and environmental goals.
The game incorporates elements from popular strategy games and provides a platform where players can assume roles such as policymakers, conservationists, and land managers. By navigating various ecosystems and making strategic decisions, players learn about the impacts of land use and the importance of sustainable practices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, addressing the pollution crisis in Indonesia requires immediate action and innovative solutions. By educating future generations through engaging methods like gamification, we can foster a culture of environmental responsibility that will help mitigate pollution and protect the health and well-being of our communities. It is imperative that we take these steps now to secure a healthier and more sustainable future.
If you are interested in learning more about gamification and how it can benefit you or your organization
Check out our gamification services page and contact us today. We are ready to help you create a gamification experience that aligns with your needs and preferences.
The Authors
Junialdi Dwijaputra
Dias Setyanto
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