A fire engulfing the Jatiwaringin Landfill (TPA) in Rajeg, Tangerang Regency, has triggered a serious health crisis for nearby communities. Thick smog has enveloped main access roads, forcing motorists to cover their noses and mouths to avoid direct exposure.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Environment, the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) in the region has spiked drastically to 1,000 micrograms per cubic meter. This figure far exceeds the national daily quality standard set at 55 micrograms per cubic meter, placing the area's air quality in the hazardous category.
In response to this critical situation, the government issued a strict warning for residents to refrain from any activities within a 1.7-kilometer radius of the fire. This measure was taken as a mitigation effort to curb the risk of a surge in acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases threatening the health of residents around the affected area.
