Health · Public Health & Disease · 13 hrs ago
Forest-fire smoke may raise long-term health risks for children
The Indonesian Pediatric Society says children exposed to forest-fire smoke face lasting health risks.
The warning concerns smoke from forest and land fires in Indonesia.
Doctors say repeated exposure may permanently affect lung growth and raise the risk of persistent asthma and chronic lung disease.
Exposure, including before birth, has also been linked to stunting and possible effects on brain development, memory and learning.
Studies of Indonesia’s 1997 fires found lower lung capacity years later, while other evidence points to effects on children’s growth and cognition.
Doctors recommend long-term checks of children’s growth and breathing, along with good nutrition, full immunisation and smoke-free homes.
The University of Indonesia and an alumni group are planning a separate study of workers and communities one to three months after fires, to guide health education, screening and monitoring.
Indonesia’s pediatricians warn that children chronically exposed to forest and land-fire smoke may face lasting lung-growth problems and other long-term health risks.
Possible effects include persistent asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stunting, and difficulties with brain development and cognition.
A pediatrician cited studies linking Indonesia’s 1997 fires to lower lung capacity up to 10 years later and reported effects of prenatal exposure lasting up to 17 years.
The Indonesian Pediatric Society recommends long-term monitoring of affected children’s growth and breathing.
The University of Indonesia and an alumni group plan a study of health effects among workers and communities after fires.
- Who
- The Indonesian Pediatric Society, through pediatrician Nastiti Kaswandani, raised the health concerns. The University of Indonesia and ILUNI MKK also plan a post-fire health study.
- What
- Experts warned that chronic smoke exposure may pose lasting risks to children’s lung growth, respiratory health, growth, and development.
- When
- The warning was reported on October 31, 2026.
- Where
- Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Why
- Forest and land-fire smoke exposure may have long-term health effects, prompting calls for monitoring and further research.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Studies of fires in Indonesia linked exposure to lower lung capacity up to 10 years later and increased risk of persistent asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Pediatrician Nastiti Kaswandani warned of possible lasting health risks for children exposed to forest and land-fire smoke.
The University of Indonesia and ILUNI MKK plan to assess health conditions one to three months after fires, focusing on respiratory symptoms and other relevant health complaints.
- Historical fires
- Indonesia’s 1997 fires
- Lung capacity
- Lower levels reported up to 10 years after exposure
- Prenatal exposure
- Effects reported up to 10 and 17 years later
- Planned study period
- One to three months after a fire
- Monitoring advice
- Long-term monitoring of affected children
What people are saying
Children chronically exposed are at risk of permanent impaired lung growth, increased risk of persistent asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which can lead to stunting, as well as potential impairment of brain and cognitive development.
Close long-term monitoring is needed for affected children.
This is a matter of health, safety and the future of our generations. We must not only react when disaster occurs. Exposure prevention, early identification of health risks and appropriate follow-up must be strengthened with scientific evidence and collaboration across disciplines.