Latest news with #IQAir
The Star
a day ago
- General
- The Star
Air quality worsens in Greater Jakarta as govt yet to curb pollution
Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta is shrouded in haze from pollution on June 15, 2024. - Antara JAKARTA: Worsening air quality in Greater Jakarta has brought to light the government's unfulfilled responsibility to ensure citizens' right to clean air and to curb emissions from coal-fired power plants and motor vehicles. The Environmental Ministry reported that the Air Pollutant Standard Index (ISPU) in several areas in and around capital Jakarta had fallen into the 'unhealthy' category on Tuesday. So did their readings for several Greater Jakarta areas on Sunday. The ministry identified motor vehicle emissions as the main source of pollution, contributing up to 57 per cent during the dry season. Coal-fired industrial activities accounted for 14 per cent, dust from construction sites 13 per cent, open burning 9 per cent and the rest came from secondary aerosols formed by atmospheric reactions of pollutant gases. Real-time monitoring by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir recorded that air quality readings in Jakarta were at 'unhealthy' levels, between 153 and 159, for three days last week. While the air quality slightly improved on Sunday, to 142, classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups, Jakarta remained the fourth most polluted city in the world. Several regions on the outskirts of Jakarta, such as South Tangerang in Banten and Bekasi and Depok in West Java also recorded poor scores, with the pattern persisting in recent weeks. Many people took to social media to share images of the smog-covered skyline and IQAir readings in their areas, voicing concern over the worsening pollution and the health risks it imposes. Greenpeace campaigner Yenny Silvia Sirait said that the poor air quality 'stemmed from the lack of initiatives and regulations to reduce the use of coal-fired power plants surrounding Jakarta', coupled with rising use of private cars and lack of green public transport. Being labelled among the most polluted cities is not unfamiliar to Jakarta and its satellite cities. The capital recorded highly unhealthy air quality for several months in 2023, sparking national concern and forcing the environment ministry to set up a task force and the government to temporarily shut down several units of the Suralaya coal-fired power plant in Cilegon, Banten. It is one of 16 coal-fired power plants operating in Banten and West Java that environmentalists say are major emission sources. 'It is very likely the 2023 conditions will return,' Yenny of Greenpeace told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. 'The government has not fully met its responsibilities, despite the air pollution lawsuit having been won.' She was referring to a 2021 citizen lawsuit against the government. The court at the time ordered the Environment Ministry and the governors of Jakarta, Banten and West Java to tighten environmental regulations, improve air pollution monitoring systems and enforce periodic emissions tests for older vehicles. Yenny urged the environment ministry to set up a clear road map for improving the air quality and suggested that regional administrations across Greater Jakarta should expand green public transportation and stop allowing the development of coal-fired power plants. The ministry's deputy for pollution and environmental damage control Rasio Ridho Sani said in a press release on Tuesday that the ministry had 'taken intensive measures' to address air pollution. This includes instructing state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina to speed up the distribution of low-sulfur fuels with sulfur content below 50 parts per million (ppm), which allow cleaner combustion. Pertamina's widely used Pertalite, meanwhile, contains up to 500 ppm of sulfur. The ministry has also shut down nine polluting companies operating in Bekasi and Bogor in West Java and Tangerang, Banten. They are metal smelters, tofu and textile producers, hazardous waste processors and non-ferrous metal manufacturers. Rujak Center for Urban Studies executive director Elisa Sutanudjaja, one of the petitioners of the 2021 air pollution lawsuit, said on Friday that: 'I don't see many changes now [following the court ruling]'. She was unconvinced that new Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung's mandatory public transport use for civil servants could significantly reduce pollution particularly in the absence of policies that restrict the use of private vehicles. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Here's how you can check the air quality where you live
(KDVR) — Wildfires in Canada have caused poor air quality and smoky skies across several U.S. metros for days. On Wednesday, the air quality in New York City was ranked the worst in the world. 'I can taste the air': Canadian wildfire smoke spreads hazardous haze at home and in the US That's according to IQAir's Air Quality and Pollution City Ranking, which is updated hourly, the air pollution advocacy organization explains. It's important to note that while New York City is currently in the top spot for unhealthy air, it will likely drop back down once the aforementioned smoke disappears. A few weeks ago, Denver, Colorado, was ranked among the top 10 worst in the world due to wildfire smoke. As of Wednesday, the city ranked 96th on IQAir's list. IQAir's live Air Quality and Pollution City Ranking ranks cities based on AQI, or Air Quality Index points. Cities/areas are assigned a series of ranges for how healthy or unhealthy the air currently is. To find your city/area, you'll need to allow IQAir to access your location. Once the system locates you, it'll give you your area's AQI, in addition to which main pollutant is contributing to the pollution level. Ranges include: Good, Moderate, Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, Unhealthy, Very Unhealthy, and Hazardous. New York City's air on Wednesday is the only city on the entire list given a Hazardous air rating. Canada fires bring dystopian haze, air-quality alerts in US. Is it safe to go outside? Aside from New York City, the next highest U.S. city on the air quality ranking is Detroit, Michigan (23), which claimed 'moderate' air quality levels Wednesday evening. India dominated the top 5, with the cities of Delhi and Kolkata ranking third and fourth, respectively, and claiming Unhealthy air ratings. The second highest city on the list is Dubai, UAE, whose air was ranked unhealthy. Will the level of smoke be dangerous for your health? Here's what the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said people everywhere should know. 'If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood, you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill,' CDPHE said. 'Bob's Burgers' actor faces charges in Jan. 6 riot If visibility is less than 5 miles in your neighborhood, the smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy, and you should stay indoors. You can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on wildfire smoke hazards. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Waterloo Region sees some of the worst air quality in province: Air Quality Health Index
Waterloo Region saw some of the worst air quality in Ontario according to data from IQAir and Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Much of Ontario remains under smoke warnings amid wildfires: Environment Canada
Much of Ontario remains under special air quality statements or warnings today amid smoke from wildfires burning in other parts of Canada. Air quality warnings Environment Canada issued on Thursday for parts of northern Ontario remain in place today as wildfires scorch Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, with heavy smoke causing poor air quality and reduced visibility. The agency says regions including Kenora, Fort Hope and Sandy Lake could see extremely high levels of air pollution for several days, but smoke is expected to become more localized as of Saturday evening. It says parts of central and eastern Ontario, including the Muskoka region and Ottawa, are under a special air quality statement due to the smoke, adding conditions should gradually improve today. Much of southern Ontario was under an air quality statement on Thursday and Friday that lifted early Saturday morning. Swiss air quality tracker IQAir marked air quality in Toronto and Montreal among the worst in the world as of Saturday morning. Environment Canada says residents should consider limiting time outdoors and be mindful of smoke exposure symptoms. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 7, 2025.
4 days ago
- Climate
Air quality in Toronto among worst in the world amid wildfire smoke, global tracker shows
Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? Toronto is currently the second most polluted major city in the world as wildfire smoke spreads across the city, according to a global tracker. The ranking by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company, puts the city below Santiago, Chile, and above Montreal, which is in third place as it also faces wildfire smoke (new window) from western provinces. As of noon Friday, air quality in Toronto was above 10 on Environment Canada's air quality health index, which means very high risk, according to the weather agency's website. A value between four to six is considered moderate risk, while seven to 10 is high risk, the website reads. Parts of the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding communities are under a special air quality statement Friday as wildfires scorch Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Wildfire smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility, Environment Canada said in a statement early Friday morning. The smoke is expected to last from Friday morning into the early afternoon. The air quality statement is in effect for the following areas: Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Durham Region, Pickering, Oshawa, Uxbridge, Beaverton, Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville, Newmarket and Georgina. It is also in effect further north for Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Barrie, Collingwood and Hillsdale. Environment Canada issued a similar special air quality statement for much of Ontario on Thursday. People are advised to limit time outdoors and consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor activities or events, the federal weather agency said in Friday's statement. Those who must spend time outdoors are advised to wear a well-constructed, will-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask such as an N95 mask, Environment Canada said. These masks can reduce exposure to fine particles in the smoke, but there can still be risks to health, the statement read. When indoors, people are advised to keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. A clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system or a certified portable air cleaner may help protect indoor air from wildfire smoke, Environment Canada said. People may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough, the federal weather agency said. More serious and less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. People are advised to seek immediate medical assistance if they think they are having a medical emergency. Seniors, pregnant people, infants, young children, people with existing illness or chronic health conditions, and those who work outdoors are the most likely to be impacted by outdoor health pollution, Environment Canada said. Check in on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution, the statement read. Toronto Pearson International Airport said it does not anticipate any impacts to operations as a result of the smoke, in a post on X on Friday. Students can stay inside Friday: TDSB spokesperson Principals at the Toronto District School Board will keep an eye on the air quality health index throughout the day and decide whether to move outdoor recess or activities indoors, said Ryan Bird, a TDSB spokesperson. They may consider moving indoors if the air quality reaches between seven and 10 on the index, he said. Students who wish to stay inside and/or students that are at increased risk of experiencing symptoms will be accommodated, Bird said in an email to CBC Toronto. When the air quality reaches level seven or above, schools will use their existing portable HEPA filter units, keep windows closed and minimize the opening and closing of external doors, he said. If the air quality index reading goes above 10, outdoor physical exertion should be avoided altogether, he said. Rochelle Raveendran (new window) · CBC News
