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22 min ago 3 min read
Indonesia is turning to experimental dry ice dispersal to tackle a toxic haze from wildfires, as worsening air quality across Southeast Asia drives demand for oxygen tanks and air purifiers.
For several months, smoke from the fires has contributed to deteriorating air quality, raising health concerns and driving demand for equipment to help people breathe more safely.
According to a report by AFP, Malaysia-based medical equipment company AA Alive has recorded a 35% increase in oxygen tank sales amid the haze.
An oxygen tank can provide around three hours of continuous use, while an oxygen concentrator – also supplied by the company – can operate for around 24 hours.
The haze is also affecting equipment maintenance. AA Alive technician Mubassar Khan told AFP that pollutants have halved the lifespan of oxygen concentrator filters, which would normally be replaced after 1,000 hours of use.
The fires in Indonesia are primarily linked to the use of slash-and-burn techniques to clear land for agriculture and plantations, including palm oil, as well as dry weather and drought conditions.
The Indonesian government has deployed cloud seeding, water bombing and military personnel in efforts to contain the fires. It is now exploring an experimental method to disperse the haze using dry ice.
Last week, Indonesian authorities began an operation to disperse dry ice from aircraft over South Sumatra. Initial reports described a deployment of 1.5 tonnes, while subsequent reports from Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) put the total used during a two-day operation on 15 to 16 October at 2.4 tonnes.
“This trial of dry ice dispersal is being conducted under the president’s direct instruction to help tackle the haze in South Sumatra,” Minister Dudung Abdurachman was quoted as saying by state news agency Antara.
The technique is intended to weaken atmospheric inversion layers that trap smoke close to the ground, allowing it to disperse and potentially improve visibility.
The operation initially focused on the area around Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport in Palembang, where thick haze had disrupted flights.
According to BNPB, visibility at the airport improved from 1km to as much as 3km during the operation. However, further research is needed to determine whether the improvement resulted from dry ice dispersal or other meteorological factors.
