Volcanic Ash Dust Prompts Residents to Stock Up on Masks; Sales Quadruple

Jakarta: Demand for masks has risen in parts of South Jakarta after residents discovered fine dust—resulting from volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau—on their vehicles, home terraces, and various surfaces in the neighborhood.

This situation has also boosted sales for mask vendors. A vendor located near the Andara Toll Road overpass in South Jakarta reported that their sales revenue had quadrupled compared to a typical day.

Mask stalls in the area saw a surge of customers on Sunday, September 6, 2026. Some residents bought masks for immediate daily use, while others stocked up in anticipation of the dusty conditions persisting.

A married couple from Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta—Sufri and Dian—said they purchased extra masks after noticing dust settling on their motorcycle and home terrace.

Sufri added that his workplace in Tanjung Barat had issued an advisory recommending the use of masks.

Another Andara resident, Reino, also bought masks in larger quantities. He noted finding a layer of dust on his vehicle, prompting him to increase his household supply.

This spike in demand has directly impacted vendor sales. Neni, a mask seller, stated that the volume of masks sold has risen significantly compared to normal days.

"Sales have increased up to fourfold," Neni said.

The heightened demand has required Neni to increase her stock to meet customer needs.

Despite the increased demand, mask prices at the stall remain within the normal range. Packs of 50 masks are selling for between IDR 10,000 and IDR 25,000, depending on the type and brand.

The situation reflects a shift in consumer behavior following the appearance of dust in parts of South Jakarta. Beyond raising resident awareness, the conditions have driven demand for masks and boosted sales activity for vendors.