Jakarta's Air Quality Ranked Second Worst in the World on Friday

Jakarta’s air quality on Friday morning fell into the unhealthy category and was ranked the second worst city for air quality in the world. Based on data from the air quality monitoring site IQAir at 06:17 WIB, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Jakarta stood at 172, placing it in the unhealthy category, with PM2.5 pollution at a concentration of 95 microgrammes per cubic metre. This level indicates the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, potentially harming sensitive humans or animals, or causing damage to plants and aesthetic values. The site also recommended that residents should avoid outdoor activities. If outdoors, people should wear masks and close windows to keep out dirty air. The good category, with a PM2.5 range of 0-50, indicates air quality that poses no health risk to humans or animals and does not affect plants, buildings or aesthetic values. The moderate category, with a PM2.5 range of 51-100, describes air quality that does not affect human or animal health but impacts sensitive plants and aesthetics. The very unhealthy category ranges from a PM2.5 of 200-299, where air quality can harm the health of exposed segments of the population. Finally, the hazardous category (300-500) generally signifies air quality that can cause serious health damage to the population. Meanwhile, the DKI Jakarta provincial government has prepared a rapid response to tackle air pollution in the capital during the dry season, predicted to occur from early May until August. Swift measures for handling pollution during the dry season include improving the air quality monitoring system and vehicle emission testing. The DKI provincial government also has an Air Pollution Control Strategy (SPPU) currently being evaluated from various aspects, ranging from PM2.5 trends and emission loads per sector to the impact on public health. According to the provincial government, air pollution control cannot be carried out partially by a single area, necessitating integrated joint action among regional apparatus organisations and cross-regional collaboration around Jakarta.