Desty Luthfiani, Jakarta – The Jakarta Environmental Agency has launched a new digital platform to empower residents with real-time air quality information. The platform, accessible at udara.jakarta.go.id, provides data from 31 air quality monitoring stations across the city.

"Everyone can check it (air quality levels) in their area via udara.jakarta.go.id using any device," Head of the Jakarta Environmental Agency, Asep Kuswanto, said in a written statement received by Tempo on Friday, July 5.

Asep explained that the data is integrated from the air quality monitoring stations managed by the agency, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia, and Vital Strategies. "The number of stations and integrated data will continue to grow."

He emphasized that the website adheres to the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) to ensure that air quality monitoring devices meet the criteria required to produce accurate and consistent data.

The website also refers to the Environment and Forestry Minister's Regulation No. 14 of 2020 on the Air Pollutant Standard Index (ISPU) as an air quality index that is a national reference.

Asep stressed that the platform offers user-friendly visualizations, such as interactive maps, graphs, and diagrams. Additionally, it provides easy-to-understand explanations of the ISPU index.

Based on the Minister's Regulation, an ISPU value of 0-50 indicates very good air quality, suitable for outdoor activities. An ISPU value of 51-100 indicates acceptable air quality, which means that outdoor activities are still safe.

An ISPU value of 101-199 indicates unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups, so people are suggested to reduce outdoor activities. An ISPU value of 200-299 indicates very unhealthy air quality and people are asked to avoid outdoor activities. An ISPU value of 300-500 air quality indicates hazardous air quality and people are asked to wear masks and stay indoors when possible.

The website also offers educational resources on air quality and its health impacts. "Jakarta residents can learn about recommended actions when air quality worsens and how the government is addressing air quality challenges," he said.

Asep concluded that everyone can also access historical air quality data to track trends and hopefully, actively participate in maintaining clean air for Jakarta.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1887836/jakarta-launches-real-time-air-quality-platfor