Top 10 Areas with the Worst Air Pollution in September 2023: Sindang Jaya Ranked Worst

The air quality monitoring application, Nafas, has released a list of the 10 areas in Indonesia with the worst air pollution throughout September 2023.

Sindang Jaya, Tangerang, was ranked as the area with the worst air pollution in Indonesia last month.

Air pollution levels in Sindang Jaya were calculated based on particulate matter (PM) 2.5 pollution levels. The area recorded an average PM2.5 concentration of 78 micrograms per cubic meter.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the ideal air quality standard is a PM 2.5 concentration of between 0 and 5 micrograms per cubic meter. This means that the air quality in Sindang Jaya is 15.6 times worse than the WHO standard.

Based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Air Quality Index, PM 2.5 air pollution levels in the range of 0-12 micrograms per cubic meter indicate good air quality; 12.1-35.4 micrograms per cubic meter indicates moderate air quality; and 35.5-55.4 micrograms per cubic meter indicates unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups.

Unhealthy air quality is in the range of 55.5-150.4 micrograms per cubic meter, very unhealthy air quality is in the range of 150.5-250.4 micrograms per cubic meter, and hazardous or toxic air quality is above 250.4 micrograms per cubic meter.

According to this index, the air quality in Sindang Jaya is classified as unhealthy.

Nafas reported receiving numerous complaints about regular burning activities in Sindang Jaya over the past month. As a result, plumes of black smoke have become a daily sight for residents.

"Upon investigation, the high pollution potential stems from burning activities by local industries and nearby residents," Nafas stated in its report.

Nine other areas in Indonesia also had unhealthy air pollution levels throughout September 2023.

The majority of these areas are located in Tangerang. Besides Sindang Jaya, Karangsari and Panunggangan Utara are also included.

Several areas in South Tangerang also had the worst air pollution in Indonesia last month, including Serpong, Babakan, and Lengkong Gudang Timur.

Here are the 10 cities with the highest PM 2.5 air pollution levels in Indonesia in September 2023:

1. Sindang Jaya, Tangerang: 78 micrograms per cubic meter (unhealthy)
2. Karangsari, Tangerang: 75 micrograms per cubic meter (unhealthy)
3. Parung Panjang, Bogor: 74 micrograms per cubic meter (unhealthy)
4. Serpong, South Tangerang: 72 micrograms per cubic meter (unhealthy)
5. Tarumajaya, Bekasi: 70 micrograms per cubic meter (unhealthy)
6. Babakan, South Tangerang: 66 micrograms per cubic meter (unhealthy)
7. Panunggangan Utara, Tangerang: 66 micrograms per cubic meter (unhealthy)
8. Lengkong Gudang Timur, South Tangerang: 63 micrograms per cubic meter (unhealthy)
9. Cibubur, East Jakarta: 62 micrograms per cubic meter (unhealthy)
10. Cipayung, East Jakarta: 60 micrograms per cubic meter (unhealthy)

According to Nafas, September 2023 data shows a slight decrease in high pollution concentrations from the previous month, with the "unhealthy" category dropping from 30% to 16%. "However, the number of 'unhealthy' air hours, for both the general public and sensitive groups, is almost the same as in previous months," Nafas stated in its report.