Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - The City Government of Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, has declared alert on its air pollution that has reached a dangerous level and urged people to wear mask.
"The air now is not very good. We urge residents not to go out if there is no need. If you go out use mask to protect yourself from unhealthy air pollution,” said Secretary of Banjarmasin Environment Office (DLH) Wahyu Hadi Cahyono here on Monday.
He said the current Air Pollution Standard Indexs (ISPU) showed a particular matter (PM) 2.5. It is the smaller particles that equal to 2.5 microns.
PM 2.5 concentration is measured using Beta Attenuation Monitoring method with units of microgram per cubic meter (µm/m3).
"This level is dangerous for health," he pointed out.
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Thjis condition, Wahyu said, cannot be separated from the ongoing El Nino which causing quite long dry season.
With the current weather condition, he continued, not only dust, motorbike smoke and industrial fume, but also forest and land fires cause poor air quality.
Under all this condition, he said, the air mixed with PM 2.5 pollutant (and because it is very small) it can enter far into the lung and blood vessel to potentially cause respiratory problems and even more serious health complications.
"If we refer to data and triggers, one of them is the direct impact of forest and land fires, especially those sent from closest neighbors," he said.
Again he urged residents to avoid unhealthy air and keep wearing mask in open space and then use air purifier.
"Close your windows so that dirty air doesn't easily enter. Make sure to monitor air quality through information from the Environment Office,” he said.
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Banjarmasin govt declares air pollution alert
Senin, 25 September 2023 22:22 WIB
Report on air quality in Banjarmasin, Monday. (ANTARA/HO-Humas Pemkot Banjarmasin)
