Hundreds of residents in Agam Regency, Indonesia's West Sumatra, are receiving a free lung examination to determine the impact of volcanic ash emitted by Mount Marapi.

The eruption of Mount Marapi, which occurred in early December 2023, is starting to have an impact on the health of the people living around the mountain area.

Moreover, the vomit of volcanic material that comes out of the volcanic crater also carries sulfur oxide compounds and other compounds that are dangerous to human health.

Dainir, who lives near the Pua River, said: "I started to feel shortness of breath; if I walked, my breath felt very short of breath. That's what I felt. I also sometimes coughed; even a normal cough made my breathing short of breath."

Chairman of the West Sumatra Branch of the Indonesian Lung Doctors Association (PDPI), Dr. Masrul Basyar, said the real impact of the distribution of volcanic ash was acute respiratory infections (ARI).

Therefore, people who live around Mount Marapi or who are affected by volcanic ash are advised to always wear masks.

"This eruption carries materials such as sulfur dioxide, many more such as nitrogen dioxide, and many other materials that we see flying around so that these are inhaled by the public. Therefore, the impact is that many people suffer from respiratory infections and coughs. That's why we recommend that "the public must wear masks so that the impact on breathing can be reduced," Dr Basyar said.

Hundreds of residents, consisting of elderly people, came to the Sungai Pua Health Center in Agam Regency, West Sumatra.

They came to get a free lung examination organized by the West Sumatra Branch of the Indonesian Lung Doctors Association (PDPI).

The eruption of Mount Marapi, which occurred in early December 2023, is starting to have an impact on the health of the people living around the mountain area.

Moreover, the vomit of volcanic material that comes out of the volcanic crater also carries sulfur oxide compounds and other compounds that are dangerous to human health.

SOT: DAINIR, CITIZENS OF THE PUA RIVER
TC: 00.17-00.38

"I started to feel shortness of breath; if I walked, my breath felt very short of breath. That's what I felt. I also sometimes coughed; even a normal cough made my breathing short of breath."

Chairman of the West Sumatra Branch of the Indonesian Lung Doctors Association (PDPI), Dr. Masrul Basyar, said the real impact of the distribution of volcanic ash was acute respiratory infections (ARI).

Therefore, people who live around Mount Marapi or who are affected by volcanic ash are advised to always wear masks.

SOT: Dr. MASRUL BASYAR, CHAIRMAN OF PDPI WEST WEST BRANCH
TC: 02.04-002.33

"This eruption carries materials such as sulfur dioxide, many more such as nitrogen dioxide, and many other materials that we see flying around so that these are inhaled by the public. Therefore, the impact is that many people suffer from respiratory infections and coughs. That's why we recommend that "the public must wear masks so that the impact on breathing can be reduced."

In the initial stage, the team of doctors first carried out health education, followed by a spirometry examination to check the condition of people's lungs. Furthermore, free health checks and treatment.

Note: Mount Marapi in West Sumatra is not Mount Merapi in Java.