Not only in Jakarta, BRIN reveals that microplastic rain may occur in Bodetabek

Jakarta – BRIN researcher Muhammad Reza Cordova spoke about the possibility of rainwater containing microplastics in Jakarta spreading to buffer areas, namely Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (Bodetabek). Microplastics can be transported by air and wind to other areas. “The air and wind that carries this microplastic is always moving, most likely it also happens in the area around Jabodetabek,” Reza told reporters on Tuesday (21/10/2025). “This happened because Jabodetabek is an urban ecoregion with dense activity, full of transport routes, plus industrial areas and residential areas. Plus lots of open burning,” he continued. Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT According to him, all areas can release microplastic particles into the air. In addition, microplastics are very small and light, so they are easily carried by the wind and moved between regions. “Including going to Bogor, Depok, Tangerang or Bekasi, and possibly leaving and entering Jabodetabek,” he said. He said this phenomenon falls into the category of atmospheric microplastic deposition. Plus, weather systems and clouds move regionally, so one source of pollution in a large city can have an impact hundreds of miles away. “So, even though the sample point was taken in Jakarta, it is atmospherically natural that similar particles also fall with rain in the Jabodetabek area,” he explained. Furthermore, Reza said preventive steps that can be taken are to control the source of microplastics from the outset. According to him, one way is to reduce open burning and manage uncontrolled waste. “Because the process releases fine plastic particles into the air. We also need to be wiser in the use of single-use plastics (for example, plastic bags, plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic cups, cigarette butts, etc.),” ​​he said. He also suggested expanding recycling systems at the household and industrial level. Reza said every industry should be encouraged to be responsible for microplastic waste. “For me, small steps like sorting waste, not burning plastic, and keeping waterways clean also have a big impact,” said Reza. “Because basically, every piece of plastic that we do not throw away carelessly means a source of microplastics that are not released into the air and do not fall with the rain,” he added. Reza Cordova previously revealed the discovery of microplastic particles in rainwater that fell in the Jakarta area. Research conducted since 2022 shows that the presence of microplastics in every rainwater sample in Jakarta is formed by incomplete degradation of plastic waste and spread through the air. According to Reza, microplastics come from synthetic clothing fibers, vehicle and tire dust, residues from burning plastic waste, as well as plastic degradation in open spaces. The microplastics found are generally in the form of synthetic fibers and small plastic fragments, especially polymers such as polyester, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene and even polybutadiene from vehicle tires. On average, around 15 microplastic particles were found. (amw/eva)