Jakarta's Air Quality Second Worst in Indonesia This Monday Morning

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The air quality in Jakarta was recorded as unhealthy and the second worst in Indonesia, so the public is advised to wear masks when outdoors, according to the IQAir website on Monday morning, updated at 06:00 WIB.

IQAir recorded Jakarta’s air quality at 153 points with a PM2.5 pollutant concentration level of 58 micrograms per cubic metre, or 11.6 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual air quality guideline.

PM2.5 consists of particles smaller than 2.5 microns (micrometres) found in the air, including dust, smoke, and soot. Long-term exposure to these particles is linked to premature death, especially in people with chronic heart or lung diseases.

Health recommendations related to the current air quality, besides wearing masks, also include avoiding outdoor activities, closing windows to prevent dirty outdoor air from entering, and turning on air purifiers.

Meanwhile, the worst air quality in Indonesia was in Serpong with 155 points, followed by Jakarta with 153, then Bekasi (137), South Tangerang (124), and Tangerang (105).

In the meantime, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is preparing a rapid response to tackle air pollution in the capital during the dry season, predicted to occur from early May to August.

Quick steps to handle air pollution during the dry season include improving the air quality monitoring system and vehicle emission testing.

In addition, the DKI Provincial Government also has an Air Pollution Control Strategy (SPPU) that is being evaluated from various aspects, starting from PM2.5 trends, emission burdens per sector, to its impact on public health.