Microplastics Found in Jakarta Rain

A recent study by Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has revealed that rainfall in Jakarta contains microplastic particles, raising fresh concerns about the capital’s worsening environmental quality and the growing link between air and plastic pollution.

Researchers from BRIN found that every rain sample collected from multiple locations across Jakarta since 2022 contained traces of microplastics. The discovery suggests that the city’s plastic waste has now entered the atmospheric cycle — lifted by wind and pollution, then returning to earth through rainfall.

According to BRIN, the microplastics originated from synthetic textile fibers, road dust from vehicle tires, residues from open burning, and the degradation of plastic litter. Laboratory analysis identified several types of plastic polymers — including polyester, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutadiene — all commonly used in consumer goods such as plastic bags, clothing, and tires.

In its findings, BRIN estimated that an average of 15 microplastic particles per square meter per day were deposited through rain in Jakarta’s coastal areas.

“We detected microplastics in every rain sample we analyzed. This indicates that the particles have dispersed into the atmosphere and are falling back to the ground with precipitation,” Muhammad Reza Cordova, BRIN researcher told Antara News, October 17, 2025.

The phenomenon is linked to atmospheric deposition, a process where microscopic plastic particles are lifted into the air by industrial activity, road traffic, or burning, then absorbed by clouds or raindrops before settling back onto the earth’s surface.

“This shows that the plastic cycle no longer ends on land or in the ocean — it has reached the sky,” Cordova added.

Health and Environmental Implications

While the rain itself poses no immediate danger, the microplastics it carries may contain chemical additives and pollutants that pose health risks once they enter waterways, crops, or food chains.

Studies around the world have associated microplastic exposure with oxidative stress, hormonal disruption, and tissue damage in animals and potentially in humans. BRIN warns that the accumulation of these particles in urban environments could add a new layer of risk to public health, especially in densely populated cities like Jakarta.

Jakarta already struggles with severe air pollution, often ranking among the world’s most polluted capitals. The discovery of airborne plastic particles now adds another invisible pollutant — one that not only contaminates air and rain but could also affect water quality and soil ecosystems.

Jakarta Government Responds

In response to BRIN’s findings, the Jakarta Provincial Government has pledged stronger environmental monitoring and tighter control over plastic waste.

“This is an environmental alarm that must be addressed collectively. Plastic pollution is no longer limited to rivers or seas — it’s now in Jakarta’s sky,” said Asep Kuswanto, Head of the Jakarta Environmental Agency (DLH), as quoted by VOI.id on Sunday (Oct. 20).

The city plans to integrate microplastic monitoring into its Jakarta Environmental Data Integration (JEDI) system — a platform that collects real-time environmental data in collaboration with BRIN.

Jakarta has also strengthened its plastic reduction policies, including Governor Regulation No. 142 of 2019, which requires the use of eco-friendly shopping bags. The rule now applies not only to retail stores and malls but also to traditional markets and online businesses.

Through the city’s Jakstrada program (Regional Waste Management Strategy), the government aims to reduce waste at the source by expanding waste banks, 3R (reduce-reuse-recycle) stations, and community-based recycling initiatives.

A new public campaign titled “Jakarta Without Plastic — in the Sky and on the Ground” will soon be launched to raise public awareness of airborne plastic pollution and promote behavioral change.

“We’re inviting research institutions, the private sector, and local communities to collaborate on new filtration technologies and plastic recycling innovations,” Kuswanto added.

A New Urban Challenge

Experts say the detection of microplastics in Jakarta’s rainfall reflects a growing global phenomenon. Similar findings have been reported in Paris, London, and Shanghai, suggesting that airborne plastic pollution has become a worldwide urban issue.

In a city with over 10 million residents and intense industrial activity, Jakarta’s exposure level could be especially high. Environmental analysts emphasize that tackling the problem will require cross-sector collaboration — from improving waste management and reducing vehicle emissions to banning open waste burning.

Long-term data collection is also essential. BRIN researchers stress the need for continuous spatial and temporal monitoring to better understand the concentration, sources, and movement of atmospheric microplastics in Indonesia.

“This is still a new field of study. Without long-term data, it’s hard to evaluate whether current policies are effective,” Cordova noted.

Moving Toward Cleaner Air

Environmental observers argue that BRIN’s discovery should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and citizens alike. Plastic waste, they say, has become part of a closed cycle: what’s thrown away on the ground eventually returns through the air and rain.

Jakarta’s strategy going forward, they add, must combine scientific research, public awareness, and strict enforcement. Developing plastic alternatives, encouraging waste segregation at home, and promoting responsible consumption habits will all be key to reducing airborne microplastic emissions.

“Without changing our habits, plastic pollution will keep circulating. The same plastic we discard could one day fall back on us in the rain,” Kuswanto warned.

The BRIN study highlights a new dimension in Jakarta’s environmental crisis — one that connects air, land, and water pollution in a single continuum. As the capital races to meet its climate and sustainability targets, addressing the spread of microplastics in the atmosphere may be its next major test.

With stronger cooperation between scientists, policymakers, and citizens, experts believe Jakarta can move closer to its vision of a cleaner and healthier city — where both the sky and the ground are finally free from invisible plastic dust. (Wage Erlangga)

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