TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) confirmed that the air quality in Jakarta is deteriorating over the past few days due to high pollutant levels.

With naked eyes, the air in the capital looked denser and darker. The agency noted that since June 15, 2022, the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration increased to 148 micrograms per meter cubic (µg/m3).

For records, the threshold value for PM2.5 concentration is 65 µg/m3.

The declining air quality was attributable to the combination of emission sources from air pollution contributors and conducive meteorological factors.

PM2.5 is an air pollutant in tiny particles that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller in size. It could easily enter the respiratory system and can cause long-term respiratory tract and lung infections.

“In addition, PM2.5 can penetrate the blood circulatory network and be carried by the blood throughout the body. This can lead to cardiovascular disorders, such as coronary heart disease,” said the Acting Deputy for Climatology at BMKG, Urip Haryoko, in a written statement on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.

Throughout June 2022, the BMKG Kemayoran Jakarta reported that the average PM2.5 concentration was 41 µg/m3 which was in the medium category. The PM2.5 concentration also showed a diurnal pattern, indicating a different pattern of air quality between day and night.

Based on the agency’s monitoring, the PM2.5 concentration in Jakarta tended to increase in the early hours and decrease in the afternoon.

MOH. KHORY ALFARIZI

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News