Jakarta Air Pollution Worsens, Residents Asked to Limit Outdoor Activities

JAKARTA - The air quality of the city of Jakarta is recorded as unhealthy and the second worst in Indonesia so that the public is advised to wear masks when outside the house, according to the IQAir website on Monday, April 13 morning, with an update at 06.00 WIB.

IQAir recorded Jakarta's air quality at 153 points with a concentration level of PM 2.5 pollutants of 58 micrograms per cubic meter or 11.6 higher than the World Health Organization's annual air quality guide value.

Quoted by Antara, Monday morning, PM 2.5 is a particle measuring less than 2.5 microns (micrometers) that is found in the air including dust, smoke and soot. Long-term exposure to these particles is associated with premature death, especially in people with chronic heart or lung disease.

Health recommendations related to air quality currently in addition to wearing masks, also avoid activities outdoors, close windows to avoid dirty outdoor air, and turn on air purifiers.

The worst air quality in Indonesia is Serpong, which has 155 points, followed by Jakarta with 153 points, then Bekasi (137), South Tangerang (124), and Tangerang (105).

Meanwhile, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov) is preparing a quick response to tackle air pollution in the capital during the dry season which is predicted to occur in early May to August.

Quick steps to handle air pollution during the dry season include improving the quality of air quality monitoring systems and motor vehicle emission tests.

In addition, the DKI Provincial Government also has an Air Pollution Control Strategy (SPPU) which is being evaluated from various aspects ranging from PM2.5 trends, emission loads per sector, to its impact on public health.