DLHP: Air Quality In Palembang And Ogan Ilir Has Not Improved

Illustration - A number of motorists crossed the musi IV bridge covered in smog in Palembang, South Sumatra, Friday (15/9/2023) as a result of forest and land fires (Karhutla). (ANTARA PHOTO/Nova Wahyudi/YU)

PALEMBANG - Head of the Environmental Pollution Section of the South Sumatra Province Environment and Land Service (DLHP), Rezawahya, said that the air quality in Palembang City and Ogan Ilir Regency had not improved.

Rezawahya said the Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) in Palembang currently ranges from 112 to 116, which indicates that it has not improved, but has experienced a significant decline.

ISPU di Palembang saat ini sedang turun, biasanya di angka 140 seperti dua hari lalu, hari ini turun menjadi 112-116 jadi bisa dikatakan bisa hampir sedang. Kalau dua hari lalu itu malah dikharam masuk ke kategori sangat tidak sehat, tetapi per hari ini bisa dikatakan cukup membaik," katanya dilansir ANTARA, Selasa, 19 September.

If the PM 2.5 ISPU value peaks at midnight at around 00.00 to 03.00 WIB, which smoke is caused by a fire that hit Ogan Ilir Regency or Ogan Komering Ilir.

"The increase was usually at 00.00 to dawn at 03.00 WIB, then in the morning from 07.00 to 08.00 WIB he went down and around 09.00 to 12.00 pm it went back up again," he explained.

In this situation, people can still carry out their activities as usual, but they are still required to wear masks considering that the status of ISPU in Palembang City is still unhealthy.

"For toddlers, the elderly, especially those who have a history of diseases such as asthma, it is recommended not to do activities outside, because they are very vulnerable, especially if the number has reached 150," he continued.

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There are five categories according to the Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry number 14 of 2020, from 0 - 50 to good categories, 50-100 categories moderate, 100-200 unhealthy, 200-300 very unhealthy, above 300 dangerous.

"Hopefully we don't fall into the dangerous category, but we still have to be vigilant because we are close to the 150 category. Although this may not be as bad as last year's 2019 because in that year it has reached 300, it will interfere with visibility too," he said.

Although not as bad as last 2019, in water areas visibility is still very limited.

"That's because all the smoke usually gathers in the water area, so the smog is more visible. I was also worried yesterday when it was still at 180, because if more than two days of surviving at that number it would definitely be very dangerous for our activities, especially our transportation mobility," said Reza.