Jakarta Ranks as World's Most Polluted City on Friday Morning

Jakarta's air quality reached unhealthy levels on Friday morning, placing the Indonesian capital as the city with the worst air pollution worldwide, according to air monitoring platform IQAir. The Air Quality Index (AQI) registered 176 at 6:11 AM local time, primarily due to PM2.5 particles at a concentration of 91 micrograms per cubic meter.

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The level indicates air conditions that may pose health risks, particularly for sensitive groups, and could also affect vulnerable animals, plants, and the surrounding environment.

This pollution level poses health risks, particularly for sensitive groups, and can also negatively impact animals, plants, and the environment. Residents were advised to limit outdoor activities and wear masks if venturing outside. Windows were recommended to be kept closed to minimize exposure to the polluted air.

IQAir classifies air quality based on PM2.5 levels: 0-50 is good, 51-100 is moderate, 200-299 is very unhealthy, and 300-500 is hazardous. Other cities with poor air quality on Friday morning included Beijing, Kinshasa, Addis Ababa, and Johannesburg.

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Residents were advised to limit outdoor activities. Those who need to go outside are encouraged to wear masks and keep windows closed to reduce exposure to polluted outdoor air.

In response, the Jakarta provincial government announced measures to combat air pollution during the dry season, expected from May to August. These include enhancing air quality monitoring and conducting vehicle emissions tests. The administration is also reviewing its Air Pollution Control Strategy (SPPU) to evaluate PM2.5 trends, sector emissions, and public health impacts. The government emphasized that controlling air pollution requires coordinated efforts across government agencies and surrounding areas.

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The government said air pollution control requires coordinated efforts beyond a single region, involving collaboration among government agencies and surrounding areas around Jakarta.