Top 10 Cities with the Worst Air Pollution Throughout August 2023: Tangerang Selatan Takes the Lead

The air quality monitoring application, Nafas, has just released a monthly report on air conditions in Indonesia. The results show that South Tangerang (Tangsel) is ranked as the city with the worst air pollution in Indonesia as of August 2023.

The pollution levels in Tangsel were calculated based on particulate matter (PM) 2.5 pollution levels. This region has an average PM2.5 concentration of 63 micrograms per cubic meter. Meanwhile, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standard, pollution levels should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic meter.

According to 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, while the range of 12.1-35.4 micrograms per cubic meter indicates moderate air quality, and the range of 35.5-55.4 micrograms per cubic meter indicates unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups.

Next, unhealthy air quality has a 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 air quality has a range of more than 250.4 micrograms per cubic meter.

Referring to this index, the air quality in Tangsel is categorized as unhealthy. In addition, two other cities in August 2023 were also categorized as unhealthy: Bogor and Tangerang.

Co-founder & CEO of Nafas, Nathan Roestandy, said that August is a special month because it is Indonesia's Independence Day, celebrated every year. "Unfortunately, we are still not free from air pollution. Air pollution levels are still high and many residents, especially children, are suffering from URTIs (Upper Respiratory Tract Infections)," said Nathan, as quoted from the report.

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

1. South Tangerang: 63 micrograms per cubic meter (unhealthy)
2. Bogor: 60 micrograms per cubic meter (unhealthy)
3. Tangerang: 56 micrograms per cubic meter (unhealthy)
4. Depok: 54 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)
5. Bandung Raya: 54 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)
6. Bekasi: 53 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)
7. Jakarta: 48 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)
8. Yogyakarta: 43 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)
9. Malang Raya: 42 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)
10. Semarang: 41 micrograms per cubic meter (moderate)

Nafas also reported several impacts of air pollution collected from various research journals. In the short term, air pollution can cause eczema, acne, premature aging, heart attacks, influenza, rhinitis, and ADHD disorders that occur in infants from the womb to childhood.

In the long term, air pollution can lead to blocked blood vessels, premature birth, pneumonia, lung cancer, asthma, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and cognitive decline.

"We recommend consulting a doctor immediately if you experience one or more of the following symptoms," said Nafas, as quoted from its report.