Jakarta, the dynamic capital of Indonesia is celebrated for its rich cultural tapestry, diverse culinary delights, and economic promise. However, beneath its appealing exterior, a longstanding and pressing issue has loomed for decades air pollution. Jakarta’s persistent air quality problem impacts millions of its inhabitants, with serious implications for public health, the environment, and the economy. In the following sections, we will go through the origins of Jakarta’s air pollution, as well as the proactive steps taken to mitigate this critical concern.

Jakarta’s air pollution is primarily caused by a combination of factors, including:

a. Traffic Congestion: Jakarta has notorious traffic congestion, leading to excessive vehicle emissions. The ever-growing number of cars and motorcycles in the city contributes significantly to air pollution.

b. Industrial Emissions: The city’s numerous industrial zones release particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds into the air.

c. People: Human activities can introduce pathogens into indoor air through activities such as coughing, sneezing, talking, and shedding skin cells. Respiratory illnesses, such as colds and flu, can release infectious particles into the air.

d. Moisture and Dampness: High humidity of damp areas can foster the growth of mold and mildew. These fungi could spread spores in the air, which if inhaled could cause respiratory issues.

According to air monitoring site IQAir, on Wednesday (26/10) Jakarta’s Air Quality Index reached 161 (Unhealthy) with the Main pollutant of particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration which is 13.2 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value. The air pollution in Jakarta has a devastating impact on public health. Exposure to polluted air can lead to respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and an increased risk of lung cancer. Vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, are particularly at risk.

McDevitt et al. (2012) suggested that “UV-C was used prominently for germ removal”. The UV-C technology was applied by ELLIPSE, one of the new air purifiers available on the market. It is an air disinfection technology that is used to do air disinfection in a large-scale room. It is proven that UV-C could disinfect germs and microorganisms until 99,9%. It could minimize the spreading and transmission of disease through air (TBC, Influenza, COVID-19, etc), especially in closed rooms. This technology could be used for industrial and residential purposes. Nothing is more important than making sure your home is free of spreading disease.

Reference

Kumar, A., Raj, A., Gupta, A., Gautam, S., Kumar, M., Bherwani, H., & Anshul, A. (2023). Pollution free UV-C radiation to mitigate COVID-19 transmission. Gondwana Research, 114, 78–86.