Reducing Air Pollution in Cities

There are many ways you can do to minimize pollution in cities, especially air pollution. At present air quality in many major cities in the world does not meet world health standards, including cities in Indonesia. Awareness of the dangers of pollution in cities must be increased because air pollution can increase health risks for citizens to be affected by respiratory disorders and a number of other health problems

Unhealthy Air Quality

The capital of Jakarta for example, based on data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in September 2017, the level of pollution in the cities of Central Jakarta, West Jakarta and South Jakarta is on the verge of being unhealthy because the level of air quality in that place is already on the verge of harming human health. Whereas in the area of ​​East Jakarta is somewhat on the verge of being, and North Jakarta is on the verge of safe for the level of air pollution. The limit for healthy air quality according to the world health agency is no more than 20 μg / m³, ie the concentration of fine particles of PM10 (10 microns particles or less) contained in each cubic meter of air.

Minimizing Exposure to Air Pollution on the Road

To minimize air pollution in the city, you can make changes in terms of driving, such as:

• Switch from private vehicles to public transportation.

Pollution and congestion occurs because most private vehicles on the highway are only filled by one person. By switching from private vehicles to public transportation, there will be less vehicle smoke polluting the air.

• Cycling or walking.

Cycling and walking are easy ways to travel at close range without pollution and are at the same time healthy. However, when walking or biking it is advisable to avoid roads with high traffic mobility, especially during rush hour.

• Close the vehicle window.

To deal with air pollution in your private car, close the window tightly when on a crowded road.

• Avoiding smoke that causes pollution.

Keep a safe distance with the vehicle in front of you especially if the vehicle in front is a diesel truck with vehicle fumes that can pollute the air. If you are behind a vehicle like this, pull over for a while and leave them far from you.

• Take care of vehicle engines.

Take care of the vehicle that you have. Therefore, vehicles that are not well maintained are more at risk to pollute the surrounding air. Remember, air pollution can even be inside a vehicle.

• Avoid driving during peak hours.

If there are needs that are not too urgent, avoid traveling during rush hours to minimize exposure to pollution. If you have to go out during rush hour, it is advisable to choose a road that is not too crowded with the number of traffic lights that tend to be less.

Prevent Air Pollution at Home

In addition to making changes in terms of driving, to prevent air pollution, you can also do simple things at home to tackle indoor air pollution, and create fresher air such as:

• Make a garden or garden at home.

Gardening at home (urban farming) can make the air around the house fresher. To get around the limited land, plants do not have to be planted in soil media, but can also use a hydroponic system. If everyone does, the city air quality is expected to improve.

• No smoking inside the house.

Make your home free of cigarette smoke. Because, in cigarette smoke contained at least 4,000 chemicals that can pollute the air. In addition to causing pollution, cigarette smoke can also increase a child's risk of ear infections, breathing, asthma, cancer and sudden infant death syndrome or (SIDS)

In addition there are many ways to reduce pollution in the house. If the simple methods above are carried out consistently by everyone, then pollution in cities, especially air pollution, will slowly decrease. Thus, breathing clean air and breathing more easily at the time of leaving or returning to work is no longer impossible.