Four Areas Record Hazardous Air Quality This Morning

Air quality in four areas of Indonesia was classified as hazardous on Thursday morning (15 October).

BMKG data at around 9am local time showed hazardous air quality in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan; Talang Betutu and Musi 2 in Palembang, South Sumatra; and Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan.

Palangka Raya recorded a PM2.5 concentration of 933.1 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), placing it in the hazardous category. Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan, also recorded hazardous air quality, with PM2.5 at 834.5 µg/m³.

Hazardous air quality was also recorded at Musi 2 in Palembang, where PM2.5 measured 413.2 µg/m³. At Talang Betutu in Palembang, the concentration was 578.4 µg/m³.

According to monitoring data from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Sintang, West Kalimantan, was in the very unhealthy category, with PM2.5 at 225.1 µg/m³.

Several other areas were also classified as very unhealthy: Jambi City at 214.6 µg/m³, Batam at 190.1 µg/m³, Muaro Jambi at 367 µg/m³, Mempawah at 168.2 µg/m³ and Medan at 151.5 µg/m³.

PM2.5 refers to air pollutant particles measuring 2.5 micrometres or less, which can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract. Exposure to high concentrations can pose health risks, particularly for children, older people and those with respiratory or heart conditions.

People in areas with poor air quality are advised to reduce outdoor activity, especially strenuous physical activity, and to check air-quality updates before going out.

PM2.5 concentrations can change with environmental conditions and BMKG monitoring updates. Air-quality data can be checked on the agency’s official website: https://www.bmkg.go.id/kualitas-udara/pm25