Wildfire smoke linked to 5,310 deaths in Indonesia in September

A study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) estimates that 5,310 people died in Indonesia during September due to exposure to wildfire smoke and other pollution sources. The report, released on October 29, cited data from the World Health Organization, which links fine particulate matter (PM2.5) to increased health risks and premature death.

The study found that 57.8 million people in Indonesia were exposed to unhealthy or hazardous air quality in September, a record high compared to 41.3 million in August. The CREA report emphasized that PM2.5, fine particles small enough to enter the lungs and bloodstream, was the primary cause of the health impacts.

In Kalimantan, four provinces saw air pollution deaths more than double to 1,470 from 700 in August, with fire smoke responsible for 94-99% of those deaths. In Sumatra, five provinces reported a rise to 1,420 deaths, with smoke causing over 90% of fatalities in Riau, Jambi, and West Sumatra.

On Java, the most populous island, deaths from air pollution slightly decreased to 1,530 from 1,570. However, non-fire sources such as industry and vehicle emissions were responsible for about 80% of deaths in West Java, Central Java, Jakarta, and Banten. Nationally, average PM2.5 exposure in September reached 36 micrograms per cubic meter, more than seven times the WHO's annual guideline.

Indonesia's Health Ministry reported 333,470 cases of acute respiratory infection in seven fire-affected provinces by October 22, with nearly a quarter of cases in children under five. CREA noted that President Prabowo Subianto had not declared the fires a national emergency, despite calls from lawmakers, environmental groups, and protesters.

The government cited regional capacity and ongoing task forces as reasons for not declaring an emergency. CREA suggested reluctance may also stem from concerns about international liability for haze and potential damage to Indonesia's palm oil, pulp, and paper exports. Meanwhile, the government deployed over 72,000 personnel and 2,106 health workers to tackle blazes, distributing 5.3 million masks in response to student protests.