Become A Polemic, The Government Reviews The Spraying Of Roads To Expel Air Pollution

Illustration of spraying roads using water with the intention of reducing air pollution in Jakarta. (Between)

JAKARTA - Road propagator activities use police water cannon cars and fire engines into polemics. Intentions to expel air pollution, road spray is instead criticized.

Spraying water on the highway is even considered to add pollution. This sprayed water has the potential to increase the concentration of PM 2.5. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin previously also said that road spraying was ineffective because pollution struggles more in the air.

From this polemic, the Head of the DKI Jakarta Environmental Agency, Asep Kuswanto, said that the government would review the effectiveness of spraying roads intended to reduce air pollution.

"We follow the central government's policy in accordance with the governor's decision. The study is being made by BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency) and the Ministry of Health (Ministry of Health)," Asep told reporters, Friday, September 1.

Based on experience in China, this method of spraying roads has failed to repel air pollution and even increase pollution levels in the country. However, Asep said the same thing did not necessarily happen in Indonesia.

"This is still debateable, a reference from China states that it is ineffective. However, the geographical and climate conditions of Indonesia are different from China. In other countries there are those that are effective. If it turns out that it is allowed, we will definitely continue," he said.

While waiting for the results of the study, the DKI Provincial Government prioritized the use of water mist equipment, namely spraying water into the air from above the building. This water mist tool is provided by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). One water mist device sells for IDR 50 million.

Asep hopes that water msit can be mass produced soon because the DKI Provincial Government will require hundreds of high-rise building managers in the capital to buy and install the equipment.

"We are coordinating with the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries for the manufacture of water mist kits because currently it is still very limited," said Asep.

"We hope that the tool can be mass produced. So that when we implement the obligation of the building to install water mist equipment, this can be made or purchased in many places," he continued.