The Air Pollution Standard Index board owned by PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI) showed the pollutant standard index at 242 meaning a very dangerous level, Head of the Dumai Health Service Marjoko Santoso said here Monday.
"We have to be careful with such a condition because the air is containing hazardous substance which could harm the people`s health, and even cause death for those chronically affected," he said.
The air condition in Dumai has been very dangerous for people of all walks of life, he said, adding that it could be worse for those having respiratory problems.
Those inhaling the haze could get blockage of blood cells, he said.
"If this condition continues, there is a possibility tht it will claim one`s live," he said.
The Dumai health service plans to distribute 4,000 facemasks free of charge especially to pedestrians and motorists.
Every community health centers in Dumai will also get 500 facemasks for patients with respiratory problems.
Dumai`s residents have complained about haze entering their houses.
"This morning, the haze is very thick. It gets worse as the haze enters the house and produces smell causing shortness of breath," Diana, a local resident, said.
Bambang, another Dumai inhabitant, said he panicked when his house was filled with haze.
"We panic because even when we don`t go out, the haze disturbs us," he said.
Haze covering Dumai and surrounding areas come from forest and plantation fires.
Most of the forest and plantation fires in Indonesia are man-made. Fire is the cheapest and the only available tool for smallholders to reduce vegetation cover and to prepare and fertilize soils.
(Uu.F001/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
