Concerns are arising that air pollution in Jakarta may lead to protests from foreign athletes during the 2018 Asian Games, which will be held from August 18 to September 2.
By
·2 minutes read
Kompas/Agus Susanto
Low, grey clouds are seen on Sunday (18/2) in the sky over Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan, Jakarta. Clean air in Jakarta is a crucial issue, as the capital will host the 2018 Asian Games. A breakthrough is needed to improve the air quality in the city, which has an air quality index of PM 2.5 that indicates medium pollution, or unhealthy conditions.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Concerns are arising that air pollution in Jakarta may lead to protests from foreign athletes during the 2018 Asian Games, which will be held from August 18 to September 2. Air pollution may hinder athletes from giving their best performance during sports events and may even lead to health risks.
Leaded Fuel Eradication Committee (KPBB) executive director Ahmad Safrudin said on Tuesday (20/2/2018) that a number of Chinese and Indian officials had raised these concerns with him recently. “Most recently, on [Monday morning], I received a phone call from Beijing asking [about air pollution in Jakarta],” he said.
In July, officials from both countries would check sport venues and air quality in Jakarta and Palembang, the Games’ two host cities.
Jakarta’s relatively poor air quality is at least reflected in the increasing number of residents suffering from various respiratory problems between 2010 and 2016.
KPBB data shows that 1.21 million people in Jakarta suffered from asthma in 2010. The figure rose to 1.48 million in 2016. The number of people suffering from broncho-pneumonia rised from 173,487 to 214,256 in the same period.
Residents exposed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increased from 153,724 in 2010 to 172,632 in 2016. People with respiratory tract infection increased from 2.44 million in 2010 to 2.73 million in 2016.
Ahmad said that banning trucks in inner-city roads at daytime, declaring low-emission zones, implementing a progressive tax scheme based on emission level, temporary cease of high-pollution factories, raids on vehicles violating emissions standards and distribution licenses on good-quality gasoline and compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel.
According to Ahmad, the committee was preparing to measure air quality in a number of indoor sports venues. Measurement parameters include levels of particulate dust (PM 2.5), carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone.
Jakarta Environmental Agency environmental impact control division head Andono Warih said that, in general, air quality in Jakarta was not worrying. This is based on instantaneous monitoring on air quality across the city’s five municipalities in line with US Environmental Protection Agency standards.
“We have never seen episodes of dangerous [air quality] in Jakarta,” he said.
