February 23, 2023 (Jakarta, Indonesia) – The Jakarta Environmental Agency (DLH) has participated in the Air Quality Capacity Building Fellowship (AQ Fellows) program, implemented by RTI International, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, and coordinated by Vital Strategies. The program provides technical and capacity-building support from air quality experts to enhance understanding of air quality monitoring quality assurance and control measures.

The AQ Fellows program has selected Mrs. Josephine Lee, a Principal Technologist with over 28 years of experience in air quality monitoring from RTI International, as the air quality expert for the Jakarta Environmental Agency's project staff. Mrs. Lee has already conducted a workshop in DLH Office and reviewed all air quality monitoring stations, including the newest 14 low-cost air sensors throughout DKI Jakarta from February 8 to 14, 2023. She will also continue to provide remote support and training for an estimated 12 to 20 hours per month for the next 18 months to the DLH staff for air quality monitoring.

Mrs. Lee noted that while AQ monitoring in Jakarta is decent, improvements are still needed to establish better standard operating procedures (SOPs), and improve on QA/QC plans, data systems, and equipment performance audits. The Jakarta Environmental Agency will work with Mrs. Lee and experts through the AQ Fellows program to implement these improvements.

According to a recent white paper published by Vital Strategies titled “Toward Clean Air Jakarta,” the city faces significant challenges with air pollution, particularly from transportation and industrial sources. Jakarta has the highest level of PM2.5 particulate matter in Southeast Asia, with concentrations averaging three times higher than the World Health Organization guidelines. The report estimates that air pollution is responsible for 7,500 premature deaths in Jakarta each year.

The AQ Fellows program has a proven track record of supporting air quality improvement projects in other Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand and Vietnam, which have similar climate and weather patterns to Indonesia. “During my fellowship visit to Jakarta, I spent two weeks with DLH reviewing the local air quality monitoring network. We worked together to evaluate current procedures in an effort to support capacity building for the future. The DLH has an effective team and I have great hope for the future of their monitoring network. It has been my pleasure to assist in this capacity and I would like to express my gratitude to DLH and Vital Strategies for their hospitality and facilitation of this project," said Mrs. Josephine Lee.

Yusiono A. Supalal, the Head of the Environmental Impact Control Section, also added, "The AQ Fellows program has been tremendously helpful to the Jakarta Environmental Agency in our efforts to improve air quality monitoring and management in the city. With the support and expertise provided by Mrs. Josephine Lee, we have identified areas for improvement in our quality assurance and control."

Through the AQ Fellows program, the Jakarta Environmental Agency will work towards cleaner air and a healthier environment for all its residents. By taking sustained efforts and collaborating, Jakarta can improve its air quality and protect public health.