Vol. 1 (2026): AIR QUALITY IN BENGKULU CITY AMID PM2.5 POLLUTION: AN ANALYSIS OF DATA AND PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS

PM2.5 air pollution is a major global public health concern. Bengkulu city faces serious air quality challenges from coal-fired power plant (PLTU) operations at Teluk Sepang and Port  Logistics at Pulau Baai, which may deteriorate local air quality. Continuous assessment of ambient PM2.5 levels is therefore essential to understand the potential health risks to the surrounding population. To analyse PM2.5 concentrations in Bengkulu City (September 2021 – July 2024), compare against national and WHO air quality standards, and evaluate potential health impacts on vulnerable populations. Descriptive qualitative study using a nonexperimental observational approach. Secondary PM2.5 data from the BMKG Pulau Baai monitoring station (35-month observation period) were converted to Air Pollutant Standard Index (ISPU/AQI) and compared against the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. P14/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.2/2020 and WHO annual guideline 2021. Seasonal patterns were assessed by comparing dry and rainy season averages. All 35 observation months exceeded the WHO annual standard (5 μg/m³); 91.4% of months exceeded the national "Good" category threshold (15 μg/m³). Annual mean concentration increased from 17.83 μg/m³ in 2021 to 25.53 μg/m³ in 2024, with a peak of 32.87 μg/m³ in July 2024. Mean PM2.5  concentration in the dry season (24.5 ± 6.8 μg/m³) was significantly higher than rainy season (20.5 ± 4.2 μg/m³, p = 0.002), indicating a substantial influence of meteorological conditions. Ambient PM2.5 levels in Bengkulu City consistently exceed international healthbased guidelines, suggesting significant potential health risk, especially for the vulnerable population living near the Teluk Sepang coal power plant, Pulai Baai port, and surrounding coal stockpiles. These findings underscore the need for strengthened air quality monitoring and evidence-based pollution control policies to support sustainable urban planning. 

Published: 2026-02-26