Thousands suffer respiratory diseases due to coal pollution

Thousands of people in Satui district, Kotabaru regency, one of major coal producing areas in South Kalimantan have suffered respiratory disease believed to be caused by air pollution resulting from coal transportation activities, Banjarmasin Post reported on Friday.

According to the daily in 2000, the number of people in the district suffering respiratory diseases mostly caused by infection reached 2,900 people. The sufferers declined to 2,351 people in 2001but despite the drop, the respiratory infection remained the largest disease in the district.

"The respiratory infection has become the largest disease in the district during the past two years. It might be caused by the highly polluted air in the area," Wanto, an official of the public health center in one of villages in the district.

The residents said that coal transportation activities from local coal mining companies to nearby coal terminals have caused high pollution particularly in areas near the roads used by the coal miners to transport their coal. (*)