Jakarta's Air Quality Ranked Worst in the World This Morning

Air quality in DKI Jakarta fell into the unhealthy category on Monday (27/7) morning, with the capital city ranked first as the city with the worst air quality in the world. According to data from the IQAir air quality monitoring site at 06:05 WIB, Jakarta’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 180, which falls into the unhealthy category. The primary pollutant was particulate matter (PM2.5) with a concentration level reaching 96 microgrammes per cubic metre. This level of pollution poses a risk to public health, especially for sensitive groups, and can potentially have adverse effects on animals, plants, and environmental aesthetics. To anticipate the adverse effects of pollution, IQAir urged Jakarta residents to limit outdoor activities. If they must be outside, people are advised to wear masks and close the windows of their homes to prevent dirty air from entering. In response to these conditions, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has prepared measures to tackle air pollution, particularly during the dry season. The tactical steps being prepared include improving the quality of the air quality monitoring system and tightening motor vehicle emission tests. Furthermore, the provincial government is continuing to refine the Air Pollution Control Strategy (SPPU) through a comprehensive evaluation, ranging from monitoring PM2.5 trends and analysing emission loads by sector to assessing the impact on public health. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government stressed that handling air pollution cannot be done partially by just one area. Integrated joint action is needed across regional apparatus organisations as well as cross-regional collaboration in the areas surrounding Jakarta.