Rainwater In Jakarta Contains Microplastics, Governor Pramono: We're Examining!

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said his staff was to explore and research the phenomenon of rainwater in Jakarta which contains microplastics. This research coordinates with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).

"For matters related to rain containing plastic found by BRIN, we have carried out an in-depth investigation," said Pramono at the North Jakarta Mayor's Office, Monday, October 21.

Pramono promised to reveal the results of research on the causes of the emergence of microplastic content in rainwater in Jakarta in a transparent manner for the public to know

"In particular, the Head of the Environment Agency, I will ask to convey it to the public because they are also conducting research. In the near future, I will definitely ask to convey it to the public," said Pramono.

Meanwhile, the Head of the DKI Jakarta Environmental Agency (DLH), Asep Kuswanto, assessed that the results of this research are a sign of danger that shows that plastic pollution has now penetrated urban atmospheres.

"We view BRIN's findings as an environmental alarm that needs to be responded to quickly and collaboratively. Plastic pollution is now not only a matter of the sea or river, but has reached the sky of Jakarta," Asep said in a separate statement.

Asep emphasized that his party is strengthening various steps to control plastic waste, from upstream to downstream, including monitoring air quality and rainwater more integrated.

The Environment Agency, continued Asep, is now coordinating with BRIN to expand microplastic monitoring in the air and rainwater through the Jakarta Environmental Data Integration (JEDI) system. The data collected will later become the basis for new policies related to controlling plastic pollution in the atmosphere.

"Langit Jakarta is reminding us to be wiser in managing the earth. Behavior change is key," said Asep.

As is known, the results of research by 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 clothes, vehicle dust and tires, residual plastic waste burning, and plastic degradation in open spaces," Reza said in a statement in Jakarta.

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.