INDOPOSCO.ID – Air quality in Jakarta deteriorated on Saturday morning (Feb. 21, 2026), placing the capital among the world’s 10 most polluted cities and in the unhealthy category.
According to data from air quality monitoring site IQAir at 5:25 a.m. WIB, Jakarta ranked seventh worst globally, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 161, classified as unhealthy.
Jakarta’s air pollution was driven by PM2.5 concentrations measured at 70 micrograms per cubic meter.
An AQI in this range is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, meaning it may pose health risks to vulnerable people and animals, and could also cause damage to sensitive plants and reduce aesthetic visibility.
By comparison, PM2.5 levels of 51–100 fall into the moderate category, which generally does not affect human or animal health but may impact sensitive vegetation and visibility. A “good” category ranges from 0–50, indicating air quality poses no significant risk to public health, animals, plants, buildings, or visibility.
A “very unhealthy” category corresponds to PM2.5 levels of 200–299, which may harm certain segments of the exposed population. The “hazardous” level, ranging from 300–500, signals serious health risks for the general population.
The city with the worst air quality was Kabul, recording an AQI of 370, followed by Lahore at 238, Dhaka at 233, and Kolkata at 230.
They were followed by Delhi at 193, Mumbai at 172, Hanoi at 163, Chengdu at 157, and Beijing at 155, as reported by Antara.
Authorities continue to recommend that residents wear masks outdoors, keep windows closed to prevent polluted air from entering homes, and use air purifiers whenever possible. (aro)
