Air Quality Monitoring Technologies: Tracking Pollution
DEAR JAKARTA, 2050GREEN TECHNOLOGY AND BREAKTHROUGHS
Katherine Clara Wargono
10/19/20253 min read
Unveiling the Silent Killer
Indonesia is currently in the midst of facing a silent killer: air pollution. This is no longer just an invisible threat, we are experiencing a serious crisis. In 2024, Jakarta was ranked as the most polluted city in the world according to Swiss company IQAir. Jakarta’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has also been reported to reach 177 in August 2024, which is categorized as unhealthy.
Cities with exorbitant levels of air pollution are known to have a detrimental effect on the wellbeing and health of their citizens. Air pollution is linked with various health problems, such as asthma, lung diseases, and even premature deaths. A 2023 study by Vital Strategies found that more than 10,000 annual deaths can be attributed to air pollution in Jakarta.
The assessment of air quality usually involves the detection of ultrafine particulate matter. They are really small particles that are found in the air. These particles are known to have adverse effects on human health and are strongly linked with increased likelihood of developing a respiratory illness. Concerningly, Jakarta’s annual concentration of PM2.5, has been reported to be 7 times above the WHO Air Quality Guidelines. With these facts in mind, how do we track air pollution effectively and thus design better safety measures to combat it? One such answer to this dilemma is through the application of air quality monitoring technologies. Air monitoring can be an effective tool to detect pollution and help protect against the harmful pollutants.
What is Air Quality Monitoring?
Air quality monitoring is the process of analyzing and measuring ambient air at fixed locations to track the trends of harmful pollutants that are present. These assessments utilize sensors to monitor the pollutant particles in the air. These particles include PMs, carbon monoxide, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide. Air quality monitoring provides us with important data about the air we breathe.
Why is Monitoring Air Quality So Important?
Improved Air Quality
With the help of air monitoring technology, people— the public and the goverment—can become more aware of the pollution levels in Jakarta. This technology can therefore help in creating more effective and impactful solutions, thus leading to cleaner air.
Health and Quality of Life
As we know air pollution is detrimental towards people’s health and lives: increasing the risk of various respiratory diseases. Air quality monitoring technologies can provide the public with information regarding the cleanliness of the air in their area. In addition, air quality sensors and purifiers can also help monitor indoor areas like their homes, offices, or public buildings. In doing so, air monitoring technology can improve people’s health and quality of life.
Regulations and Policy Making
Data provided by these monitoring systems can help governments be more aware of the current problems that are plaguing Jakarta. Air quality monitoring could act as a measure of evaluation, helping the government implement more effective regulations and policies.
Research
Researchers use these technologies to collect data on ongoing trends related to air pollution and understand how different factors affect it. This data allows them to in turn make informed inferences and predictions that could help with mitigation efforts. Monitoring provides information that is essential for continual innovations in improving air quality.
Future Possibilities in Air Quality Monitoring
There have been ongoing innovations in air quality monitoring that could really revolutionize pollution regulation in Jakarta. Among them, some notable ones include:
Low-cost Sensors for the Public
As monitoring technology becomes more advanced and efficient, there will be more cost-viable sensors for personal and public use. Moreover, light and portable versions of these sensors are becoming more and more likely each day. This is particularly exciting because it means sensors could be more widely used; not just for public spaces, but also for homes and offices.
Integration With Smart Devices
Integration with smartphones and other digital devices would also be a game changer for air quality monitoring. With technology like this, people would always be informed regarding the current air quality of their environment.
AI-based monitoring
Researchers have been working on AI-driven systems to enhance the field of air quality regulation. With the help of artificial intelligence, air monitoring can become more efficient: analysis of large volumes of air quality data would be more manageable, and patterns or important markers can be more easily tracked.
Takeaways
Air pollution is a huge ongoing crisis in Jakarta. However, there are solutions being made to mitigate it. Air monitoring technology is one of them. They provide us important information that could help in the fight against pollution and help build a less-polluted Jakarta. With the help of these tools, Jakarta can dream of a cleaner and healthier future.
Resources
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/7/2070
https://airly.org/en/5-benefits-of-air-quality-monitoring/
https://www.mertani.co.id/air-quality-monitoring-system
https://kunakair.com/air-quality-monitoring-defence-against-pollution/
https://www.clarity.io/blog/how-do-air-quality-monitors-work#toc-how-air-quality-monitors-operate
https://www.primeplusmed.com/jakartas-battle-effects-of-air-pollution/
https://www.iqair.com/id/indonesia/jakarta
https://www.iqair.com/world-air-quality
https://wri-indonesia.org/en/insights/7-things-know-about-jakartas-air-pollution-crisis