Air Pollution in Jakarta Brings Fresh Concerns to Citizens

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The air quality in Jakarta is worsening as the country enters its dry season. According to the IQAir application, Jakarta's air quality is already reaching the worst level. 

While the Acting Governor of Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono decided to clear the air with humor (he told people to "just blow away" the pollution), the health experts and citizens are worried about the health impacts of the air quality.

"For children, the current air pollution like this will usually increase the repeated risk of acute respiratory infection," said dr. Feni Fitriani, lungs expert of the Indonesian Society of Respirology.

Other risks include cough, flu, bigger risk of asthma, and also affecting the development of lungs in children.

Wear Masks

As of Friday (16/6/2023), the Jakarta government admitted that the level of PM2.5 in Jakarta is reaching an unhealthy level. Between May and early June 2023, the average concentration of PM2.5 is on the level 47,33 - 49,34 µg/m3.

The head of the Environmental Life Office in Jakarta, Asep Kuswanto, pointed out the impact of the dry season and vehicle emissions which pollute the air. The air pollution is the worst in the early morning.

"The air pollution in Jakarta is influenced by various sources of emissions which originate from local sources, such as transportation and residential, and regional sources from the industrial regions near Jakarta," Asep revealed.

Other parts of Greater Jakarta (Bogor, Depok, and Tangerang regions) are also suffering from the worsening air pollution.

The health authority in Jakarta has advised people with asthma to be cautious and reduce outdoor physical activities. In the event of an unhealthy level of air pollution, people are expected to wear their masks.