Rain In Jakarta Polluted With Microplastics, BRIN Reminds Of Sky Pollution

JAKARTA - Research results from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) revealed that rainwater in Jakarta contains dangerous microplastic particles originating from human activities in urban areas.

BRIN researcher Muhammad Reza Cordova explained that research conducted since 2022 shows the presence of microplastics in every rainwater sample in the capital, which is formed from degradation of plastic waste in the air due to human activity.

"This microplastic comes from synthetic fiber, clothing, vehicle dust and tires, residual plastic waste burning, and plastic degradation in open spaces," Reza said in a statement in Jakarta, Thursday, which was confiscated by Antara.

He explained that the microplastics found were generally in the form of synthetic fibers and small fragments of plastic, especially polymers such as polyesters, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, to polybutadienes from vehicle tires.

On average, he continued, researchers found about 15 microplastic particles per square meter per day in rain samples in the coastal area of Jakarta.

According to Reza, this phenomenon occurs because the plastic cycle has now reached the atmosphere. Microplastics can be lifted into the air through street dust, combustion smoke, and industrial activity, then carried away by the wind and fell back together with rain, known as the amospheric microplastic deposition.

"The plastic cycle does not stop at sea. It rises to the sky, goes around with the wind, then rains again to the earth," he said.

Reza assessed that these findings raise concerns because microplastic particles are very small, even smoother than ordinary dust, so that they can be inhaled by humans or enter the body through water and food.

"What is toxic is not rainwater, but microplastic particles in it because it contains additive chemicals or absorbs other pollutants," he continued.

Although further research is still needed, global studies show that microplastic exposure can have serious health impacts, such as oxidative stress, hormonal disorders, and tissue damage.

From an environmental perspective, rainwater containing microplastics has the potential to contaminate surface and sea water sources, which eventually enter the food chain.

To overcome this problem, Reza stated that BRIN is pushing for concrete cross-sectoral steps. First, strengthening routine research and monitoring of air quality and rainwater in big cities, improving the management of plastic waste upstream, including reducing single-use plastic and increasing recycling facilities, and encouraging the textile industry to implement a filtration system in washing machines to prevent the release of synthetic fiber.

Reza also invited the public to reduce the use of plastic, sort waste, and not burn waste carelessly.

"Langit Jakarta is actually reflecting human behavior under it. The plastic we litter, the smoke we allow to billow, the garbage we burn because we are lazy to sort everything back on us in a more subtle, quiet, but much more dangerous form," said Reza.