Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – Health officials warn that microplastics in rainwater pose long-term health risks, including heart disease and problems in fetal development.
Recent findings from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) revealed that rainfall in Jakarta contains between 3 and 40 microplastic particles per square meter per day. The discovery has led the city's health authorities and the central government to push for stronger pollution control and public awareness measures.
Rahmat Aji Pramono, head of environmental health at Jakarta's Health Office, said the tiny plastic fragments, smaller than 5 millimeters, can enter the bloodstream and travel to vital organs. For pregnant women, exposure to microplastics may affect nutrient transfer to the fetus, increasing the risk of premature birth or low birth weight.
"Microplastics are not visible to the naked eye but can infiltrate the body through inhalation or ingestion. Once inside, they can worsen existing health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke," Rahmat said.
However, he stressed that the human body has natural defenses. "Most microplastics are expelled naturally, through the digestive tract with the help of dietary fiber or through coughing and sneezing," he added.
Rahmat also dismissed claims linking microplastics directly to autism, saying no scientific evidence supports such a connection. "Autism has many contributing factors. Microplastic exposure might be an additional risk, but it's not a primary cause," he noted.
To minimize exposure, the Jakarta Health Office advised residents to wear masks outdoors, particularly during the dry season when airborne particles increase, and to regularly clean indoor spaces where dust, a major source of microplastics, tends to accumulate. Air quality levels can be monitored via the city's website, udara.jakarta.go.id.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin urged preventive efforts that tackle plastic pollution at its source.
"The best prevention starts upstream, by reducing microplastic pollution before it spreads. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung plays a crucial role here. If we can curb pollution, the health burden will also drop significantly," Budi said after meeting Pramono at the Health Ministry on Tuesday.
Budi also issued a practical public advisory: avoid walking outdoors immediately after rainfall and wear protective masks whenever possible.
Pramono Anung said the city plans to address plastic pollution by accelerating the construction of waste-to-energy power plants to reduce the volume of unmanaged plastic waste contributing to airborne and waterborne microplastics.
"Researchers from BRIN and the city's Environmental Agency have confirmed the presence of microplastics in rainwater. We're taking this seriously. Through the waste-to-energy program, we aim to reduce plastic waste that could end up in the air or water cycle," Pramono said.
As concerns grow over the unseen dangers falling from the sky, health experts continue to stress simple yet vital steps: keeping homes dust-free, limiting outdoor activity after rain, and cutting plastic use at its source. "The greatest exposure may come from indoor dust," Rahmat reminded. "Maintaining a clean home remains one of the most effective forms of protection."
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/lifestyle/health-officials-warn-of-health-risks-from-microplastics-in-rai