Jakarta's Air Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups on Friday

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The air quality in Jakarta has been recorded as unhealthy for sensitive groups, so the public is advised to wear masks when outside, according to the IQAir website on Friday morning, updated at 05:00 WIB. IQAir notes that Jakarta’s air quality is at 115 points, with a PM2.5 pollutant concentration of 41 micrograms per cubic metre, which is 8.2 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. Current health recommendations regarding air quality, besides wearing masks for sensitive groups, also include avoiding outdoor activities, closing windows to prevent dirty outdoor air from entering, and turning on air purifiers. Meanwhile, Jakarta’s air quality ranks fifth worst in Indonesia, after Serpong with 165 points, South Tangerang (142), Surabaya (142), and Bandung (122). Quick measures to address air pollution during the dry season include improving the air quality monitoring system and vehicle emission testing. In addition, the DKI Provincial Government has a Strategy for Controlling Air Pollution (SPPU) that is being evaluated from various aspects, from PM2.5 trends, emission loads per sector, to its impact on public health. According to the DKI Provincial Government, controlling air pollution cannot be done partially by one region alone, so integrated joint actions are needed among regional government organisations (OPDs) as well as cross-regional collaboration around Jakarta.