Jakarta Ranks Third Among World's Most Polluted Cities on Sunday

Jakarta's air quality deteriorated significantly on Sunday morning, placing the Indonesian capital third among the world's cities with the worst air pollution. Data from IQAir revealed an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 168 at 5:57 a.m. Western Indonesian Time, categorized as unhealthy, with PM2.5 pollution reaching 80 micrograms per cubic meter.

This level of pollution is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, including humans and animals, and can also damage plants. The air quality monitoring website recommended that residents avoid outdoor activities and wear masks if venturing outside. It also advised keeping windows closed to minimize exposure to the polluted air. The AQI scale defines good air quality as 0-50 PM2.5, moderate as 51-100, unhealthy as 101-200, very unhealthy as 200-299, and hazardous as 300-500.

Kinshasa in Congo registered the worst air quality with a score of 193, followed by Kampala, Uganda, at 176. Other cities with poor air quality included Lahore, Pakistan (166), and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (154). Jakarta's high ranking underscores the persistent environmental challenges faced by major urban centers.

In response, the Jakarta Provincial Government is preparing rapid measures to address the air pollution during the dry season, predicted to last from May to August. These immediate actions include enhancing air quality monitoring systems and strengthening vehicle emission testing. The government is also evaluating its existing Air Pollution Control Strategy (SPPU), considering PM2.5 trends, emission sources by sector, and public health impacts.

The provincial government stressed that controlling air pollution requires integrated and joint action, extending beyond a single region. Effective solutions necessitate collaboration between various regional government agencies and neighboring areas around Jakarta, highlighting the transboundary nature of air pollution.