Toxic forest fire pollution chokes children’s health
Nearly half of acute respiratory illness cases caused by wildfire in Sumatra and Kalimantan recorded in the past two months are children who are more vulnerable to wildfire haze because of their biological conditions.
Acute respiratory illness cases in children are soaring due to toxic forest fire pollution in Indonesia, with nearly half of the reported cases involving minors. The Health Ministry reported over 314,124 cases between August and October, with a significant portion comprising schoolchildren aged 6 to 9 and infants under five. Children are particularly vulnerable to the haze due to their biological makeup, and the burning forest and peatland in Sumatra and Kalimantan have forced numerous schools to close.
The Indonesian Philanthropy Association (PFI) warns that the situation poses a threat to an entire generation, with persistent exposure to wildfire smoke potentially leading to long-term cognitive and physical impairments. PFI chair Rizal Algamar emphasizes the critical need for urgent action from authorities to address the recurring fires and protect the health of future generations.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
