Air pollution returns as activity resumes

Barely visible: Anglers fishing amid a thick haze at a coastal area in Jakarta. — AFP

THE respite of bluer skies and slightly fresher air that Jakartans enjoyed during the city’s large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) has given way to smog as activities resume in the capital. But air quality during the PSBB, while generally better than other periods, was still not ideal.Data compiled by Greenpeace Indonesia from ambient air sensors at the US embassy buildings in Central and South Jakarta show that the capital did not have a single day of “good” air quality from the start of PSBB to June 4, when it began gradually easing restrictions.

“Good” air quality occurs when the air quality at a given location does not exceed the World Health Organisation standard of 25 micrograms per cubic metre for particulate matter 2.5, measured on a six-grade air quality scale.