How the smoke haze in Indonesia affects the resident's life expectancy?

Author: Martha Arbayani Zaidan

In 2015, forest fires took place across Indonesian region, especially, in the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, causing from illegal slash-and-burn practices, which then spread quickly in the dry season.

Pollutants Standards Index (PSI) readings exceeded 2,000 at the forest fire epicentres in those affected islands [1]. The indices used to measure air quality in the regions usually measure Particulate Matter 10 (PM 10), whereas European standard uses PM 2.5. Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) also known as fine particles, is tiny particles or droplets in the air that are two and one half microns or less in width [2]. This is normally used as an air pollutant indicator that is a concern for people's health when levels in air are high.

PM 10 concentration across Indonesia and Malaysia [3]

The view of Masjid Agung An-Nur Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia during smoke haze 2015

It was reported that there were some people died as a direct consequent of the haze where most of the victims were students and newborn babies. Tens thousands people had also suffered from respiratory problems whereas almost most of residents in the affected area had dizziness and sore eyes.

However, from the author's knowledge so far, there has been no study yet, regarding the relationship between life expectancy of Sumatra and Borneo' residents and the exposure to PM 2.5 in those regions. Nevertheless, we still can learn from a study conducted by International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) [4]. The IIASA scientists concluded that long-term exposure to PM2.5 has been indicated to have significant negative impacts on human health. The current levels of air pollution is estimated to shorten the statistical life expectancy of European citizens by several months.

The Figure below shows "Europe wide annual average PM2.5 concentrations at urban background stations in cities with more than 100000 inhabitants." [5]

What can we learn from the top Figure?

The top Figure shows the PM 2.5 average readings are just about 20 for the last 15 years,. This is very contrast with Indonesia air quality which is in normal condition already polluted (from vehicle emissions, coal power plant, industries and other related problems) and the pollution level increases significantly during forest fires as discussed above. 

Using the PM 2.5 reading of 20, the scientists in IIASA were still able to conclude that there has been a direct relation between the reduction in life expectancy and high concentration of PM 2.5. 
Now the question is: "if similar research is carried out in the affected Indonesian region, can we imagine how much long term illnesses will those residents have in the future and how many months (or even years) their life expectancy have been shortened.?

As a person who care about humanity and environment, I hope there should be a similar study, performed in the future. The results may be used to apply the degree of punishment to the companies and individuals involved in the forest fires. The outcomes are also useful to encourage the government, companies, non-government organizations (NGOs) as well as local community to conserve well our nature, one of the most valuable gifts from our GOD. 

By: 
Martha Arbayani Zaidan
Helsinki, 1 January 2016


References:

[1] http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34265922

[2] http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/air/pmq_a.htm
[3] www.aqicn.org, (Accessed 22 October 2015)

[4] http://www.iiasa.ac.at/

[5] Kiesewetter, G., Schoepp, W., Heyes, C. and Amann, M., 2015. Modelling PM 2.5 impact indicators in Europe: Health effects and legal compliance. Environmental Modelling & Software.