Balikpapan – Two air quality monitoring stations in Balikpapan recorded unhealthy conditions. According to an AQICN screenshot dated Thursday, October 15, 2026, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 185 in Sepinggan Baru and 183 in Balikpapan Baru. These figures reflect the respective station updates and may change.

These conditions highlight the importance of caring for the environment, including planting greenery around homes. But can common garden plants help capture airborne pollutants?

A study published in Science of the Total Environment in 2019 showed that airborne particles can settle on leaf surfaces. Fine hairs and certain leaf characteristics help this process, although their effectiveness varies among plants.

Guava (Psidium guajava) was among the plants examined in a study published in Climate in 2023. Conducted in a mining and smelting region of South Africa, the study identified guava as one of the plants with notable dust accumulation capabilities.

Moringa (Moringa oleifera) also showed potential for collecting dust in the same study. These findings support considering guava and moringa for greening initiatives, but do not establish that either plant can protect household residents from forest and land fire smoke.

Meanwhile, mango (Mangifera indica) has been studied in Indonesia. Research published in the International Journal of Advances in Applied Sciences in 2023 found that mango demonstrated tolerance to air pollution at the study site. The ability to tolerate pollution differs from the ability to reduce airborne pollutant levels.

These three plants may be considered for home gardens, depending on the available space and growing conditions. Greening is a long-term effort. When air quality deteriorates, residents should continue monitoring air quality and limit outdoor activities, particularly those in vulnerable groups.

References

1. Particulate matter mitigation via plants: Understanding complex relationships with leaf traits. Science of the Total Environment (2019).
2. Identifying Common Trees and Herbaceous Plants to Mitigate Particulate Matter Pollution in a Semi-Arid Mining Region of South Africa. Climate (2023).
3. Six tree species physiological responses to air pollution in Pulogadung Industrial Estate, East Jakarta, Indonesia and Universitas Indonesia Campus, Depok, Indonesia. International Journal of Advances in Applied Sciences (2023).
4. Indonesian Ministry of Health: Wear Masks and Monitor Air Quality to Prevent the Health Impacts of Forest and Land Fire Smoke.
5. AQICN: Screenshot of air quality data for the Sepinggan Baru and Balikpapan Baru monitoring stations, October 15, 2026.