Wear masks as Jakarta records worst air quality in the world

Jakarta’s air quality on Thursday morning fell into the unhealthy category, ranking first among the world’s most polluted cities. According to data from the IQAir monitoring website at 06:10 WIB, Jakarta’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 171, classified as unhealthy, with PM2.5 pollution concentrations reaching 84 micrograms per cubic metre.

This level of pollution is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, as it can harm humans, sensitive animals, and even damage plants or aesthetic values. The monitoring site recommends that the public avoid outdoor activities where possible. If outdoor exposure is necessary, residents are advised to wear masks and keep windows closed to prevent dirty air from entering buildings.

For context, the ‘good’ air quality category (PM2.5 between 0-50) poses no health risks to humans or animals, while the ‘moderate’ category (PM2.5 between 51-100) does not affect human health but can impact sensitive plants. Higher levels, such as ‘very unhealthy’ (200-299) and ‘hazardous’ (300-500), pose serious health risks to various population segments.

Following Jakarta, the cities with the worst air quality were Tashkent, Uzbekistan (156), Hanoi, Vietnam (153), Lahore, Pakistan (153), and Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (139).

In response to the ongoing pollution, the Deputy Head of the Jakarta Environmental Office, Purwanti Suryandari, highlighted the #SatuLangkahDulu campaign. This initiative, organised through the Large-Scale Social Collaboration (KSBB) Air Cluster, aims to encourage all elements of society—including the government, business sector, academics, and the media—to take simple steps to reduce emissions, utilise eco-friendly transport, and adopt habits that prioritise cleaner, healthier air for Jakarta.