Antara – Jakarta's air quality is listed as unhealthy, prompting residents to wear masks when outside, according to the IQAir website on Wednesday morning, updated at 4:00 a.m. WIB (Western Indonesian Time).

IQAir recorded Jakarta's air quality at 161 points, with a PM 2.5 pollutant concentration of 69.3 micrograms per cubic meter, or 13.9 points higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) annual air quality guideline.

PM 2.5 is a particle smaller than 2.5 microns (micrometers) 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 disease.

Current health recommendations regarding air quality include wearing a mask, avoiding outdoor activities, closing windows to avoid polluted outdoor air, and using air purifiers.

Jakarta's air quality is recorded as the fourth worst in Indonesia, after South Tangerang; Banten (183 points); Serpong (179); and Bandung (166).

Meanwhile, the Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov) emphasized that air pollution control cannot be carried out by one region in isolation, requiring integrated, joint action between regional government agencies (OPDs) and cross-regional collaboration around Jakarta.

The Jakarta Provincial Government has established a commitment to air pollution control for the 2023-2030 period through Gubernatorial Decree Number 576 of 2023 concerning the Air Pollution Control System (SPPU).

This strategy encompasses three main pillars: strengthening air pollution control governance, reducing emissions from mobile sources such as transportation, and reducing emissions from stationary sources such as industry and other activities.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2100897/jakarta-air-quality-turns-unhealthy-residents-urged-to-wear-mask