Karhutla Melanda, Air Quality In Sampit, Central Kalimantan Is In The Unhealthy Category

Head of the DLH Kotim Environmental Laboratory Dhody Wiriyanto showed ISPU monitoring describing the decline in air quality in Sampit, Monday (14/8/2023). (ANTARA/Norjani)

SAMPIT - The Environmental Service of East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan stated that forest and land fires (karhutla) that are increasingly occurring in local areas have an impact on decreasing air quality to enter unhealthy categories, especially in Sampit City. "Based on the ISPU (air polluting standard index) parameters that have been read today, 108 are categorized as unhealthy. This category, people are advised to wear masks when doing activities outside the home," said Head of the Environmental Laboratory of the East Kotawaringin Regency Environmental Service, Dhody Wiriyanto in Sampit, Antara, Monday, August 14. ISPU or the Air Pollution Standard Index is the average value of the combined ISPU element values, namely CO, PM10, SO2, NO2, and O3, each of which is calculated according to a weighted level, then the standard value is calculated. Dhody said that the land fires that began to occur in East Kotawaringin Regency indirectly had an impact on air quality. The decrease in air quality is illustrated by the increasing ISPU parameters. The increase in ISPU has occurred since yesterday. From the data, the highest number of pollution occurred at 00.00 WIB, reaching 121 points. ISPU monitoring is carried out from time to time through equipment equipped with sensors located in the courtyard of the Environmental Service office. The data presented can also be accessed directly by agencies at the central level as well as the general public online. "The data can be used as material for all stakeholders. Hopefully this land fire can be extinguished so that the smog does not become as severe as it used to be," hoped Dhody. Head of the East Kotawaringin Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Multazam said the joint team continued to extinguish fires in a number of locations. Fires not only occur in the city of Sampit, but also in sub-districts, such as on Hanaut Island. "Information on this morning's update through the ground team is being extinguished. For anticipatory steps, we ask for water bombing for the Kotim area," said Multazam. Meanwhile, land fires are still occurring at several points. The joint fire department worked hand in hand to extinguish the fire so as not to continue to spread.

Land fires that have occurred in the last few days have also started to cause smog in the morning so that they have an effect on visibility. Haji Asan Sampit Meteorological Station data, visibility around the airport at 07.00 WIB is only 1,500 meters, but at 08.00 WIB it returns to normal at 10,000 meters. Head of the DLH Kotim Environmental Laboratory Dhody Wiriyanto showed ISPU monitoring describing the decline in air quality in Sampit, Monday (14/8/2023). (ANTARA/Norjani)