Director general of pollution and environmental damage control at the Environment and Forestry Ministry Sigit Reliantoro remarked that based on the ministry's Air Quality Monitoring System monitoring in 2022, several provinces, especially in the Greater Jakarta area, recorded an increase in PM2.5 concentration, occurring particularly during the period from June to August 2022 at certain times.
Reliantoro noted through his statement received here on Friday.
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"Some factors can affect the air quality apart from emission sources, such as motor vehicles and the industry. Natural conditions can also impact the increase in the concentration of PM2.5 and dust parameters," Reliantoro explained.
He referred to the period between June and August as the peak of the dry season in Indonesia while noting that there was no rain for a long time during this time. This along with the stagnant air with high humidity levels, coupled with low wind speeds, allowed particles to stay afloat in the air.
These conditions could lead to high concentrations of pollutants, especially dust, including PM2.5.
"Thereafter, in September, the concentration of pollutants began to decrease because it started to rain, so the particles were washed away and led to a decline in their concentration," he elaborated.
He ensured that the Environment and Forestry Ministry had continued to apply several measures to improve air quality in Indonesia, including by providing guidance to district and city governments as well as evaluating their performance in managing the air quality.
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Translator: Prisca T V, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
