The New Straits Times, September 19, 1997
Until recently the figures that seem to matter to many of us were that of the fluctuating ringgit or, perhaps to some, the KLSE index. Lately, however, we have been seeing yet another set of fluctuating figures, namely the Air Pollutant Index (API).
With the worsening of the haze problem and few solutions in sight (no pun intended), it is time Malaysians did their bit to alleviate the situation. This week the haze was said to have reached a height of about 10,000 feet and that the API is steadily increasing at an alarming rate in certain areas.
Until today the full implications of the haze on health are not widely discussed although the numerical interpretations of API are often in heath terms.
Many contend that the haze is mainly a result of suspended dust, debris and heavy particles accumulating in the thickening air because of some major forest fires, and nothing more.
Such particle are more often than not presented as physical irritants to the exposed parts of the body particularly the skin, the eyes and the nasal cavity.
In the case of the skin, it may cause itchiness, rashes or inflamed and allergic skin reactions. However, the more vulnerable type of 'skin' is the mucosa which lines the inner side of the body, for example in the eyes.
Irritating the mucosa of the yes usually causes them to be blood-short in appearance, become sore and at times watery. In other instances, it can cause extreme inflammatory conditions generally associated with conjunctivitis.
When the nasal cavity is involved, the respiratory tract or airway leading to the lungs will be affected sooner or later. This is perhaps the most important consequence since all of us breathe, almost unconsciously through the nose, thus making it even more prone to unwarranted effects.
The mucosal membranes lining the airways are especially sensitive to these particles causing one to cough or sneeze occasionally - a natural way to preventing such irritants from entering deeper or getting lodged in the body.
Normally the cellular surfaces of the airway are protected by minute hairs that act to 'brush away' such particles from irritation the mucosal membranes. Because of this, we tend to cope more readily with moderately changing atmospheric content.
But in a heavily contaminated environment such as the sort we are facing today, such physiological mechanisms are gradually being rendered ineffective, exposing the body to greater risks.
The overall effects tend to be accumulative over time, finally leading to a breakdown of the bodily defence. Not only does coughing become more regular but the irritable membranes begin to discharge mucus (a viscous liquid) making breathing increasingly more difficult. For those who have had similar symptoms (as in the case of asthmatics), their conditions will worsen.
As more and more of the particles are inhaled, they gradually move down into the lungs and settle there. This will constantly irritate the lungs giving rise to a number of possible serious and chronic diseases. It is more so because particles and dust are not all that are in the haze. There are also other components in the polluting environment that can get past the blood vessels supplying the various, especially lower, parts of the lungs, thus being absorbed into the blood stream. Soon enough the pollutions will be circulating throughout the body, dissolved in the blood.
Among the more devastating components that can get into the body system in this way the body system in this way are sulphur oxides, atmospheric oxidants, carbon monoxide and heavy metals like lead. We will briefly examine each of these in the coming weeks.
As for now, it is important to reiterate some of the statements made by Datuk Mohamed Rahmat after chairing the anti-haze meeting three days ago (NST, Sept 16).
Of particular interest is the advice to 'stop smoking at all times'. This is in fact very welcome advice especially from no less a smoker himself in trying to save the 'health' of the nation.
The advice goes just as well to the millions of citizens who share the same passion as the Minister. Indeed, what is happening to the environment today can easily be likened to someone smoking.
By spewing tobacco smoke into the air, one is effectively creating a micro-environment contaminated with thousands of dangerous chemicals - a 'micro-haze' if you like.
Going by the conservative estimate that there are about 18 billion sticks of cigarettes being smoked by some 1.7 million in Malaysia annually, it certainly helps to focus on how rampant and polluting this activity can be.
While it is rather ironic that it has to be the haze that really brings us to our senses about smoking being an unhealthy practice that ought to be stopped, it is nevertheless a reality which all of us must now accept.
This is in fact the precise message that tobacco control advocates have been saying all this while long before the haze appeared on the horizon. Only that this time after experiencing what the haze brings, it is easier to appreciate what smoking actually entails.
Thus, if we worry over the haze as a macro phenomenon, we should be equally concerned over the microones including smoking before they get out of hand. The human lung, after all, measures no more than a few square metres if totally stretched out - no more than a small room in terms of size.
And filling this tiny space of delicate cells with cigarette smoke together with 4,000 chemicals and poisons contained in it is making it just as hazy as what we see and experience today on the outside.
If only the API applies to the smokers' lungs, the readings would in all probability pass the 'unhealthy' if not the 'very unhealthy' marks for most of them. For others perhaps it is almost at the 'emergency' level.
While we are disgusted and even angry that the authorities have not done enough to stop the haze from engulfing the nation, similar expressions should also apply to those who persistently pollute their lung, and invariably those of others. The same goes for those who condone the culture of smoking directly or otherwise.
In the final analysis, what is important to realise is that pollution control should not only be limited to one's external environment but also the internal environment, notably our bodies.
Just as we are trying hard to smother the forest fires causing the haze, we should try even harder to smother the fire of every lighted cigarette. Only then can we create a totally friendly environment inside and outside of our body.
If there is one lesson that we all need to learn, it is that 'haze' occurs at any time, anywhere and in a variety of dimensions. We must always remember that we are indeed in charge of our own environment and health. Looking after the environment and our health is a continuous commitment. To Datuk Mohamed Rahmat and friends, we say 'Stop smoking today, help drive the haze away!'
