INDONESIA-ENVIRONMENT/HAZE Smoke from forest fires cause breathing problems in Indonesia

Record ID: 139975

  • Title: INDONESIA-ENVIRONMENT/HAZE Smoke from forest fires cause breathing problems in Indonesia
  • Date: 11th September 2015
  • Summary: PEKANBARU, INDONESIA (SEPTEMBER 11, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FIREFIGHTER EXTINGUISHING FIRE IN RIMBO PANJANG VILLAGE BURNT FOREST TRAFFIC ON ROAD STATUE WITH A MASK ARIFIN AHMAD HOSPITAL LUNG SPECIALIST, AZISMAN SAAD, TREATING PATIENT PATIENT SITTING ON BED PATIENT'S HAND SAAD TALKING TO PATIENT PATIENT LISTENING TO SAAD (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) LUNG SPECIALIST OF ARIFIN AHMAD HOSPITAL, AZISMAN SAAD, SAYING: "There's inevitably an impact (on people's health). The symptoms include irritation, dry eyes and skin." VARIOUS OF PATIENT LYING ON BED VARIOUS OF TRAFFIC ON ROAD
  • Embargoed: 26th September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Indonesia
  • Country: Indonesia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAW1XLCV5M8KWHLDBMZ1JQN9HX
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING
    Indonesia said on Friday (September 11) it would send more than 10,000 troops to fight fires in southern Sumatra, as smoke makes thousands sick, delays flights and pushes air quality to unhealthy levels in neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia.
    Indonesia has vowed before to end the seasonal fires but has failed each time to stop the so-called "haze", caused by slash-and-burn clearances on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, where large areas of forest concessions are held by pulp and paper and palm oil companies.
    The smog has been creating health problems, with many Indonesians admitted to hospital for acute respiratory tract infections.
    Azisman Saad, lung specialist at the Arifin Ahmad Hospital in Pekanbaru, said he had seen the effect the smog was having on his patients.
    "There's inevitably an impact (on people's health). The symptoms include irritation, dry eyes and skin," he said.
    On Thursday (September 10) Indonesia sent 1,500 troops to reinforce the firefighters.
    Indonesian troops will be sent to the provinces of South Sumatra and Jambi, two of the main hotspots, Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said.
    If necessary, the agency said it would also send in additional helicopters to help water-bomb fires.
    Indonesia also said it was investigating 10 firms over worsening forest fires that have created the blanket of smog and threatened them with sanctions if they are found responsible.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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