The air quality monitoring application, Nafas, has released a list of the 10 areas in Indonesia with the lowest air pollution levels throughout 2023.
Belitung, Bangka Belitung, had the lowest air pollution levels in Indonesia. Air pollution levels in Belitung were calculated based on particulate matter (PM) 2.5 levels, averaging 13 micrograms per cubic meter.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the ideal air quality standard is a PM 2.5 concentration of 0 to 5 micrograms per cubic meter. This means that Belitung's air quality is still 2.6 times worse than the WHO standard.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) air quality index, PM 2.5 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.
Based on this index, Belitung's air quality is classified as moderate.
Belitung's air pollution levels exceed Indonesia's National Ambient Air Quality Standard (Baku Mutu Udara Ambien Nasional) annual limit of 15 micrograms per cubic meter by 1.15 times.
Nine other areas in Indonesia also had moderate air pollution levels throughout 2023.
According to Nafas, Serpong, South Tangerang, had the highest air pollution levels in Indonesia in 2023, with an average PM 2.5 concentration of 60 micrograms per cubic meter throughout the year.
The following are the 10 locations/areas with the lowest PM 2.5 air pollution levels in Indonesia throughout 2023:
1. Belitung, Bangka Belitung: 13 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)
2. Laguna Village, Thousand Islands, Jakarta: 16 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)
3. Sanur, Denpasar, Bali: 16 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)
4. Papringan, Sleman, Yogyakarta: 26 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)
5. Ubud, Gianyar, Bali: 26 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)
6. Jemur Wonosari, Surabaya, East Java: 26 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)
7. Rawa Barat, South Jakarta, Jakarta: 27 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)
8. Cipayung Depok, Depok, West Java: 28 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)
9. Taman Sari, West Jakarta, Jakarta: 28 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)
10. Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, Jakarta: 29 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)