Air Quality in Jakarta this Afternoon is in Medium Category

The Jakarta Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) figure is in the medium category and Unhealthy on Thursday (8/31) this afternoon.

This policy is implemented in addressing the problem of air pollution in Jakarta

Based on the monitoring results of the four air quality monitoring stations (SPKU) owned by Jakarta Environment Agency (LH) and SPKU for the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, it shows that air quality is in the medium category, namely Kelapa Gading SPKU, Bundaran HI SPKU, Kebon Jeruk SPKU, and Jagakarsa SPKU.

Jakarta LH Agency's Public Relations Head, Yogi Ikhwan said the ISPU scores on these four SPKUs were 52-99 (Medium). He explained air quality levels were still acceptable for human, animal, and plant health.

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"People can still do activities outside, but sensitive groups are urged to reduce long and heavy physical activity," he expressed.

He explained the Medium Category means the level of air quality that does not affect human or animal health but affects plants that are sensitive and have aesthetic value.

Meanwhile, the ISPU score at SPKU Kelapa Gading and SPKU Lubang Buaya is around 103-108 (Unhealthy). In this category, air quality levels are detrimental to humans or sensitive animal groups.

"This category can also cause damage to plants or aesthetic value," he said.

Therefore, the public can get information about the level of pollution in their surroundings in real-time through the Low Emission Jakarta website, namely https://rendahemisi.jakarta.go.id, the LH Agency website https://lingkunganhidup.jakarta.go.id and Jakispu via JAKI.

The air quality measurement parameters on the website consist of particulate matter pollutants (PM2.5, PM10), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Carbon Dioxide (CO), and ozone (O3).

He added the Jakarta Government has implemented several policies to deal with declining air quality, including enforcing the law through emission raids that must meet quality standards for moving emissions, as well as controlling industries that do not conduct maintenance and management of chimneys for stationary emissions.

"The Emission Test Task Force consisting of the LH Agency, Dishub together with Polda Metro Jaya's Traffic Directorate and Permanent Garrison Command I/Jakarta will hold raids on vehicles that fail the emissions test in Jakarta starting September 1, 2023," he asserted.

Aside that, the Government also applied a scientific approach in the form of the Weather Modification Technique (TMC), which is by spraying water from the tops of tall buildings with a high-pressure pump or water mist generator.

He added they implemented a 50 percent WFH policy for employees under the Jakarta Government work environment for two months from August 21 to October 21, 2023.

"This policy is implemented in addressing the problem of air pollution in Jakarta," he stated.