INDOPOSCO.ID – Air quality in Jakarta on Monday morning (January 5, 2026) fell into the unhealthy category, placing the capital sixth among cities with the worst air quality in the world.
Based on data from air quality monitoring site IQAir at 5:45 a.m. WIB, Jakarta’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 174, classified as unhealthy, with PM2.5 pollution and a concentration level of 79.5 micrograms per cubic meter.
Such levels indicate air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups, potentially harming humans and sensitive animals, as well as causing damage to plants and reducing aesthetic quality.
The site also issued recommendations regarding Jakarta’s air conditions, advising residents to avoid outdoor activities.
If outdoor activities are unavoidable, people are urged to wear masks and keep windows closed to prevent polluted air from entering indoor spaces.
By comparison, the “good” category refers to air quality that poses no health risks to humans or animals and does not affect plants, buildings, or aesthetic values, with PM2.5 levels ranging from 0–50.
The “moderate” category indicates air quality that does not affect human or animal health but may impact sensitive plants and aesthetic quality, with PM2.5 levels between 51–100.
Meanwhile, the “very unhealthy” category corresponds to PM2.5 levels of 200–299, where air quality can harm the health of certain exposed population segments.
The final category, “hazardous” (300–500), indicates air quality that can cause serious health impacts across the general population.
Cities recording the worst air quality were led by Karachi, Pakistan, with an AQI of 218, followed by Kolkata, India (189), Delhi, India (187), and Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (177).
Jakarta operates the most extensive and integrated air quality monitoring system in Indonesia, with 111 active Air Quality Monitoring Stations (SPKU) spread across the capital.
Head of the Jakarta Environmental Agency (DLH), Asep Kuswanto, explained that the system combines reference-grade stations with low-cost sensors (LCS) installed at various strategic locations.
“Through this integrated system, we can monitor air conditions in real time and take mitigation measures more quickly to protect public health,” Asep said in Jakarta on Friday (October 17).
The monitoring network is the result of collaboration between the Jakarta Environmental Agency, the Ministry of Environment (KLH), the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), civil society organizations, universities, and private sector partners, as reported by Antara.
Jakarta is also preparing an Early Warning System (EWS) for air pollution as an anticipatory and responsive measure to potential increases in pollution levels. (aro)
