Jakarta's air quality on Thursday evening was moderate, but PM2.5 concentration remained 3.7 times the WHO standard.

Jakarta's air quality on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at 7:00 PM WIB was monitored as unhealthy, with PM2.5 concentration 3.7 times the WHO's safe standard limit. This concentration is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

According to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry's (KLHK) Air Pollutant Standard Index (ISPU) page, Jakarta's average air quality index was 99, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 56.0 µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter) at 7:00 PM WIB.

According to WHO standards, good air quality has an average 24-hour PM2.5 concentration range of 0 to 15 µg/m³.

The lowest PM2.5 concentration in Jakarta's air was 52.7 µg/m³ at 12:00 PM WIB, while the highest PM2.5 concentration was at 3:00 PM WIB with a value of 63.0 µg/m³.

Quoting the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) website, PM2.5 are small airborne particles measuring less than 2.5 microns, or about 3% of the diameter of a human hair.

Sources of PM2.5 include emissions from the combustion of gasoline, oil, wood, and other fuels. Long-term effects of PM2.5 exposure on the human body include premature death, chronic heart and lung disease, and reduced lung function in children.

For information, BMKG categorizes PM2.5 air pollution levels as follows:

* Good: 0 - 15.5 µg/m³
* Moderate: 15.6 - 55.4 µg/m³
* Unhealthy: 55.5 - 150.4 µg/m³
* Very Unhealthy: 150.5 - 250.4 µg/m³
* Hazardous: >250.5 µg/m³