Air Quality in Several Sumatran Cities is Hazardous

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in several major cities on the island of Sumatra has reached hazardous and very unhealthy levels. Data from airvisual.com at 10:25 WIB (Western Indonesian Time) on September 17, 2019, shows that Simpang City, Jambi, has an AQI of 353, making it the city with the most hazardous air quality in Indonesia. This figure is higher than the previous day's AQI of 320. Pekanbaru, Riau, is in second place with an AQI of 320.

Other cities with hazardous air quality include Muaralembu, Riau; Muaro, West Sumatra; and Sijunjung, West Sumatra, all with an AQI of 317. Other cities also show poor air quality in the "very unhealthy" category. Four cities in Riau Province have an AQI of 299: Baserah, Lubukjambi, Tanjunggadang, and Teluk Kuantan. Bangkinang, Riau, recorded an AQI of 290.

This air quality can have health impacts. Airvisual.com recommends that residents in these cities avoid outdoor exercise, close windows to avoid polluted air, wear masks, and use air purifiers.

(Read Databoks: [Link to article about Jakarta's air pollution])