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Jakarta's air pollution becomes political football
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Smog blankets Jakarta’s skyline on, Aug. 19, 2019. (JP/Donny Fernando)
J
akarta’s air quality has deteriorated for the past two weeks, achieving “unhealthy” and “very unhealthy” statuses, which experts say is the result of trans-boundary pollution from neighboring cities and as such is an issue beyond the capital’s borders.
On 15 June, the capital city was ranked as having the worst air quality in the world by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir. With a recorded Air Quality Index (AQI) of 188, Jakarta was 12 points shy from having a “very unhealthy” atmosphere.
The worst-air ranking was awarded again to the city last Friday and on Monday.
The Environment and Forestry Ministry had advised residents to “avoid prolonged activities outdoors”, warning that people suffering from asthma and heart problems are most vulnerable to smog-related complications.
Environmental activists and experts have urged central and provincial governments to do their duty in dealing with the situation.
Greenpeace activist Bondan Andriyanu warned that such polluted air could affect those with pre-existing health conditions.
“Cold-like symptoms like coughing, fever and runny nose are associated with acute respiratory infection. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should be wary of a possible respiratory infection,” Bondan said Tuesday.
