Jakarta's Air Quality Is Worsening, Residents Are Advised To Wear Masks

JAKARTA - In recent days, the air quality in Jakarta has decreased drastically. The pollution fog has enveloped the city since the morning, making the sky look gloomy even though the sun is already high.

This condition triggers public concerns, especially for people who have respiratory problems or chronic diseases. Increased concentration of pollutants in the air encourages calls for residents to start wearing masks when doing outdoor activities to minimize the risk of exposure.

According to the latest data from the updated IQAir page at 05.00 WIB, the air quality index (AQI) in Jakarta was recorded at 132. This figure indicates that air is in the "unhealthy" category. PM2.5's smooth particulate concentration was recorded at 48 micrograms per cubic meter nearly ten times higher than WHO's annual guidelines for air quality.

The PM2.5 PARTiculate is a microscopic particle that measures less than 2.5 micrometers, which can come from vehicle smoke, industrial combustion, and fine dust. Due to its very small size, these particles can fall deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream, potentially triggering long-term health problems such as heart and lung disease.

For individuals with certain health conditions, it is recommended to limit outdoor activities, keep the ventilation of the house closed when the air quality worsens, and use air filtering tools if possible. Masks also remain the main protection to reduce direct exposure to pollution.

Currently, Jakarta is ranked fourth in the city with the highest pollution rates in Indonesia. Three areas that recorded higher pollution rates were South Tangerang (183), Depok (175), and Bekasi (139), all of which were capital buffer cities.

Responding to this situation, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov) has strengthened cooperation with surrounding areas to reduce emissions, especially from the industrial sector. This sector is said to be one of the main contributors to air pollution which also worsens air quality in metropolitan areas.

As part of the control effort, the DKI Provincial Government has also enforced vehicles that do not meet emission test standards. By mid-2024, the government has held a free emission test program for more than 1.6 million motorized vehicles. Of these, about 1.5 million are cars, while the rest are motorcycles.

The test results showed that 98.2 percent of cars managed to escape, while the motorcycle's graduation rate was at 82.3 percent. This emission test aims to measure the efficiency of burning vehicle engines and ensure that exhaust emission levels remain within the allowed limits.

Through these steps, the Provincial Government hopes to encourage community participation in maintaining air quality, as well as increasing awareness that each individual has a role in creating a healthier and more habitable environment.