Preventing Pollution Dangers, Coordinating Minister For Maritime Affairs Says Masks With 50 Percent Filtering Power

Illustration of masks (pixabay)

The recent air pollution in the DKI Jakarta area is in the spotlight of all parties. The DKI Jakarta Health Office said that around 100 thousand residents in the capital city experience acute respiratory infection (ARI) every month due to the weather shift.

Based on data, there was an increase in cases from 99,130 in May 2023 to 102,475 cases in uni month. In response to this, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, revealed that he would again require the use of masks for people in the DKI Jakarta area and its surroundings.

This is because PM 2.5 or Particulate Matter, air particles that are smaller than or equal to 2.5 micrometers which can cause various dangerous diseases such as Cancer, Heart Attack and Acute Respiratory Tract Infections (ARI).

"So now we will require masks again. We recommend that especially all police friends have started masks," Luhut told the media at the Kemenkomarves Building, Friday, August 18.

However, Luhut assessed that the current use of ordinary masks is only effective in filtering out 15 percent of the air pollution inhaled. For this reason, his party plans to hold masks with the ability to filter up to 50 percent pollution.

"This Mask is only 15 percent, so we are now wearing masks that can be 50 percent," Luhut continued.

Luhut added that the danger posed by air pollution does not look at the rank and class and can endanger everyone. "So we all have to be united. So whatever the government will give, all must obey. Because otherwise we will be victims," concluded Luhut.