A waste dump fire that has been raging at the Jatiwaringin Landfill, Tangerang Regency, since late June has raised serious concerns regarding the health impacts on surrounding communities. Thick smoke and gas emissions generated by the burning waste material are known to contain various dangerous pollutants that can threaten the respiratory system and long-term health.
Prof. Tjandra Yoga Aditama, a health expert from the Indonesian Society of Respirology (PDPI), explained that the hazards of landfill fires stem from three main types of pollution. First is gas pollution, which includes substances such as ammonia, carbon monoxide, methane, and sulfur dioxide. Second is solid particle pollution or Particulate Matter (PM) of various sizes, including PM 2.5, which can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract or alveoli.
In addition, the burning of waste—especially that containing plastic materials—also releases Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as well as toxic chemicals like dioxins and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. According to scientific studies, continuous exposure to these substances can trigger various health problems, ranging from eye irritation and headaches to digestive system disorders.
In the context of respiratory health, exposure to pollution from landfill fires carries a high risk of causing acute respiratory infections (ARI) of varying severity, and can even trigger asthma attacks in patients with chronic lung diseases. This impact poses a real threat, particularly to vulnerable population groups.
The Director of Post-Graduate Studies at YARSI University emphasized that high-risk groups, such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with a history of lung disease, should be more vigilant. Preventive measures are essential to minimize exposure to toxic smoke while firefighting efforts at the landfill site are ongoing.
