Pencemaran Udara dan Air Sebagai Satu Isu Kesihatan Persekitaran di Indonesia dan Malaysia

Air and Water Pollution as One of the Environmental Health Issues in Indonesia and Malaysia

Abstract

World Health Organisation (WHO) defines environmental health as the direct and indirect effects of chemical and biological agents on human health and wellbeing. Environmental health issues also include impacts on the physical, psychological, social and cultural environments that includes housing, urban development, land use and transport. Environmental health issues cover all matters related to human health that are closely related to natural resources and issues surrounding environmental development both in Indonesia and in Malaysia.The focus of this environmental health study is on issues of air pollution and water pollution, as these two issues have major impacts on public health both in Indonesia and in Malaysia.Employing library research methodology, the findings of this study show that be it in Indonesia or Malaysia, air pollution and water contamination contribute to the severe decline in public health. This situation is especially bad among the urban poor and the younger population as the young generation will soon be the successor-generation for the nation and state. Everyone is entitled to a good and healthy environment of which this is considered as a part of human rights. The law or all existing regulations have, in control of all air and water pollution problems. However, the law and regulations will not be in effect if the law is not being enforced. This study hopes to improve environmental health of Indonesia and Malaysia now and in the future.