Dinkes Reminds of Dangers of Using Asbestos for Health

Using asbestos materials in the construction of houses or residences can trigger health problems for the occupants due to the high carcinogenic properties of these building materials.

No longer using asbestos for residential roofs can be done to prevent asbestosis

Its widespread use poses significant health risks, including accelerating inflammation and increasing the risk of lung cancer.

Jakarta Health Agency (Dinkes)'s Disease Prevention and Control Sector Head, Dwi Oktavia stated asbestos is a Toxic and Hazardous Material (B3) as categorized in Government Regulation Number 18/1999 on the Management of Hazardous and Toxic Waste.

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She expressed it is still widely used in Indonesia, especially in building materials such as roofs and ceilings, as well as in-vehicle components such as brake linings and clutches.

Based on 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data, in Indonesia, there were 1,661 deaths due to exposure to asbestos in the workplace, of which 82 percent came from lung cancer.

"Predictably, the number of deaths will increase to around 3,000 by 2040 if the use of asbestos is not immediately reduced," she expressed, Monday (3/25).

She explained the symptoms of disease due to asbestos exposure were shortness of breath, dry cough, coughing up blood, and chest pain. He assessed, reducing asbestos exposure is the best way to prevent asbestosis or other diseases caused by asbestos exposure.

“Immediately check yourself at a health facility and consult a pulmonologist if you experience symptoms of disease caused by asbestos. No longer using asbestos for residential roofs can be done to prevent asbestosis," she said.