Air Pollution in Indonesia

Air Pollution in Indonesia

By Fikri Erdiansyah
04.06.20261 Min Read

Jakarta, as the capital city of Indonesia, serves as both the center of government and business, leading to heavy traffic congestion. Not only Jakarta, but also surrounding areas contribute to the high number of vehicles entering the city daily. This congestion causes significant air pollution due to emissions such as carbon dioxide released by vehicles, making the air hotter and less healthy.

Air pollution is not limited to Jakarta; it occurs across many regions in Indonesia. According to data from IQAir (2019), Indonesia ranked 6th among the most polluted countries in the world based on PM2.5 levels, with an average of 51.7 µg/m³. Several Indonesian cities are among the most polluted in Southeast Asia, including South Tangerang (81.3 µg/m³), Bekasi (62.6 µg/m³), Pekanbaru, and Jakarta (49.43 µg/m³).

Due to poor air quality, many people use masks to protect their health. Air pollution can be measured using a gas analyzer, a device that detects gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), oxygen (O₂), and carbon monoxide (CO) through specialized sensors.