Jakarta's Air Pollution: A Troubling Reality

Jakarta, Indonesia's bustling capital, is known for its vibrant culture and economic opportunities. However, it has also gained notoriety for its air pollution, consistently ranking among the most polluted cities globally. This air pollution has severe health and economic impacts, causing over 7,000 adverse health outcomes in children, more than 10,000 deaths, and over 5,000 hospitalizations annually, with a financial burden of approximately USD 2.9 billion. This crisis is driven by various factors, including vehicular emissions, industrial activities, urban development, and meteorological conditions. Addressing Jakarta's air pollution requires a multifaceted approach, including improvements in urban planning, transportation, and environmental initiatives.

Health impact: infant deaths, childhood stunting, and respiratory illnesses

Jakarta, Indonesia, is a city with over 10.5 million people, and its air pollution poses a major threat to their health. The city's annual ambient PM2.5 concentrations are the highest among all urban centres in Indonesia. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that air pollution is one of the major environmental risks to health, leading to both morbidities and mortalities, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases.

The health impacts of Jakarta's air pollution on children are particularly concerning. A study from 2019 fills an information gap by assessing more health impacts of air pollution on children, including infant deaths, childhood stunting, low birth weight, and premature birth. The annual level of PM2.5 in Jakarta in 2019 was three times higher than the NAAQS, causing 330 infant deaths and 6100 cases of stunting. Stunting was included in the study as a key children's outcome of concern in the country. The cost of preventing stunting in 2013, adjusted to 2019 values, was multiplied by the number of stunting cases attributable to air pollution to obtain the total cost of stunting prevention.

The high levels of air pollution in Jakarta also contribute to respiratory illnesses in children. Daily exposure to air pollution was associated with over 5000 cases of hospitalizations in a year, with 87% of PM2.5-related admissions due to cardiovascular diseases. Exposure to high-level O3 may cause more than 1500 hospitalizations among people aged 65 and above, of which 83% were due to cardiovascular diseases. Respiratory illnesses included asthma attacks, respiratory symptoms, the incidence of pneumonia, bronchitis, and other respiratory illnesses.

The total mortality count in the study was two-fold higher than the GBD 2019 estimates, mainly due to different air pollution levels and the number of people exposed. The GBD 2019 Study estimated that air pollution caused 5054 deaths (or 54 per 100,000 people) in Jakarta in 2019. The study by Resosudarmo & Napitupulu predicted 7900 deaths due to air pollution in 2015, lower than the estimation in this study.

Economic impact: health costs and loss of productivity

Jakarta's air pollution has been linked to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases and lung cancers. In 2019, NCDs accounted for 79% of total deaths in the city, or 36,000 deaths. Air pollution also contributes to premature deaths, with over 10,000 attributed to poor air quality each year in Jakarta.

The economic impact of air pollution in Jakarta is significant. The total annual cost of the health impact of air pollution in the city is approximately USD 2943.42 million. This includes the cost of over 5000 hospitalizations and more than 7000 adverse health outcomes in children, such as infant deaths, childhood stunting, low birth weight, and premature births. The economic loss due to PM2.5 and O3-related deaths and illnesses is around 2.2% of Jakarta Province's GDRP, amounting to USD 790.94 million in 2019, with East Jakarta suffering the highest economic loss.

The economic impact of deaths comprises the largest share of the total cost, and this value already reflects the value of productivity loss in relation to deaths. Air pollution also contributes to productive labour loss, as it causes NCDs and premature deaths, reduces the country's gross domestic product (GDP), makes cities less productive and competitive, and lowers the quality of life of its residents.

The manufacturing industry and the energy sector are the largest contributors to PM2.5 emissions in the provincial Jakarta district, while fossil fuel use in shipping, aviation, and the commercial and residential sectors are additional contributors.

Natural causes: dry season, low wind speeds, and high temperatures

Jakarta's air pollution has severe health impacts on its residents, causing over 7000 adverse health outcomes in children, more than 10,000 deaths, and over 5000 hospitalizations annually. The economic burden of these health issues due to air pollution amounts to approximately USD 2943.42 million per year.

Natural causes, including the dry season, low wind speeds, and high temperatures, significantly contribute to Jakarta's air pollution crisis. During the dry season, typically from June to August, the monthly average concentration of fine particulate matter, PM2.5, peaks and can reach levels between 40 and 80 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3). This period is characterized by hotter temperatures, lack of rainfall, increased sunshine, and low humidity, which collectively intensify air pollution in the city.

Low wind speeds play a crucial role in the buildup of air pollutants. During the dry season, slow-moving air currents can trap emissions near the surface, favoring the accumulation of local pollution in urban areas. This combination of low wind speeds and dry season conditions results in a concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere.

The impact of low wind speeds is further exacerbated by the absence of rainfall, which is essential for reducing PM2.5 levels. A study found that a minimum of 5mm of rainfall is required to effectively lower the concentration of PM2.5 in Jakarta's atmosphere. Rainfall washes away fine particles of pollution and emission droplets, helping to mitigate the buildup of harmful particulate matter.

The natural causes of Jakarta's air pollution, including the dry season, low wind speeds, and high temperatures, interact with other factors such as emissions from vehicles and power generation sources to create a complex and challenging environmental issue. Addressing these natural contributors to air pollution is crucial for improving the air quality and public health in Jakarta.

Man-made causes: vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, and construction

Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, is home to over 10.5 million people. The city's air pollution poses a significant threat to the health of its residents, with an annual financial impact of approximately USD 2943.42 million. The air pollution in Jakarta is caused by a combination of various factors, including vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, and construction activities.

Vehicular emissions are a significant contributor to Jakarta's poor air quality. The city is known for its dense traffic and high number of vehicles on the road. In addition to emitting carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which are common vehicle emissions, vehicles in Jakarta emit fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This matter is extremely harmful to human health, as its small size allows it to penetrate deep into the respiratory system, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

Industrial activities in Jakarta also play a role in the city's air pollution crisis. Various industries, such as manufacturing, power generation, and waste incineration, release pollutants into the air. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter. Like vehicular emissions, these industrial pollutants have adverse effects on human health and the environment.

Construction activities in Jakarta further exacerbate the city's air quality issues. The processes of demolition, excavation, and construction themselves disturb the land and generate dust and particulate matter that contribute to air pollution. Additionally, construction projects often involve the use of heavy machinery and diesel engines, which emit harmful pollutants.

The cumulative impact of vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, and construction activities has severe consequences for the people of Jakarta. The air pollution caused by these man-made sources has been linked to various adverse health outcomes, including infant deaths, childhood stunting, low birth weight, premature birth, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular problems. It is estimated that air pollution contributes to over 7,000 adverse health outcomes in children, more than 10,000 deaths, and over 5,000 hospitalizations annually in Jakarta.

Addressing these man-made causes of air pollution is crucial for improving the health and well-being of Jakarta's residents. Implementing stricter emission standards for vehicles and industries, promoting sustainable construction practices, and prioritizing clean air actions can help mitigate the negative impacts of air pollution on the city and its people.

Solutions: urban planning, green spaces, and cleaner technologies

Jakarta, Indonesia, is a bustling metropolis with an estimated 25 million motor vehicles on its roads. The air pollution in Jakarta is quite high, with a significant impact on public health, the environment, and the economy. The economic burden of air pollution in Jakarta was estimated at US$2.9 billion, or 2.2% of the region's GRDP. The local government has been implementing various measures to tackle this issue, including the following solutions:

Urban Planning

Jakarta has implemented "Transit-Oriented Development" (TOD) in public areas, allowing residents to reach their destinations on foot and reducing the use of private vehicles. The city has also established Low Emission Zones (LEZ), where motorized vehicles are restricted, and only pedestrians, cyclists, public transport, and low-emission vehicles are permitted. Kota Tua and Tebet Eco Park are examples of such zones.

Green Spaces

The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has recognized the importance of green open spaces as vital sources of oxygen. They have set the ambitious goal of having green spaces (Ruang Terbuka Hijau, or RTH) covering 30% of the total Jakarta area. The JAKI super-app helps residents locate nearby RTHs and access official information about air quality.

Cleaner Technologies

Jakarta has been working towards reducing emissions from the transport sector. This includes implementing emission tests for older vehicles, with those over ten years old and failing the test being prohibited from operating. The city is also encouraging the use of electric vehicles (EVs) and has implemented Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) to incentivize a shift towards cleaner transportation options.

These solutions demonstrate Jakarta's commitment to improving air quality and mitigating the health and environmental impacts of pollution. By combining urban planning, increasing green spaces, and adopting cleaner technologies, the city is taking a comprehensive approach to creating a healthier and more sustainable environment for its residents.

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