The Air Quality Of Palembang City Is Still Not Improved

Photo Illustration: Antara

JAKARTA - The Environment Agency of Palembang City revealed that the air quality in Palembang City, South Sumatra has not improved and is at a moderate to unhealthy level on Sunday, September 17. "Now the number of Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) in Palembang City ranges from 149 out of 101-200 micrograms/m3 in unhealthy categories," said Head of the Palembang City Environment Agency Mustain when confirmed. The high number of ISPUs is due to the large amount of smoke in Palembang City due to forest and land fires (karhutla) in several areas of South Sumatra Province.

He said the ISPU measurement was carried out on Saturday, September 16, at the Bukit Kecil Palembang Station at 15.00 WIB and determined the results of the ISPU number measurements in this city, namely 149 micrograms/m3 and was relatively unhealthy. He appealed to the people of Palembang to reduce activities outside the home and always use masks when they have to do activities outside the home to anticipate various types of respiratory disturbances caused by forest and landfill smoke. Meanwhile, the monitoring of Antara in the Jakabaring Palembang area, thousands of Palembang people enjoyed the weekend by exercising in the morning. The community remains relaxed without wearing masks in the middle of the smoke fog that surrounds this city.The Coordinator for Observation and Information Affairs of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin (SMB) II Palembang Sinta Andayani revealed that the air in the capital city of South Sumatra was recently in unhealthy condition.

"In unhealthy air conditions, people are reminded to reduce direct contact with the air outside the room and use masks to anticipate the dangers of air pollution for health," said Sinta Andayani. In order not to worsen the current air conditions, people are also advised not to burn garbage or activities that can cause smoke or air pollution. Participation from all parties and the community plays a major role in dealing with extreme weather conditions and bad air now so that it doesn't get worse.