Haze: 27 Areas Record Unhealthy API Readings As Of 4pm

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- A total of 27 areas nationwide continued to record unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 4 pm today, with Johan Setia in Selangor recording the highest reading of 169.

According to the Department of Environment’s (DOE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal, other areas in Selangor, including Petaling Jaya (158), Klang (156), Banting (154) and Shah Alam (153), also recorded unhealthy readings.

Three areas in Melaka were also at the unhealthy level, namely Alor Gajah (165), Bukit Rambai (164) and Bandaraya Melaka (161), as were Nilai (164), Seremban (164) and Port Dickson (120) in Negeri Sembilan.

Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, Batu Muda and Cheras recorded readings of 164 and 152, respectively, while Putrajaya recorded 154.

Six areas in Johor also recorded unhealthy API readings, namely Tangkak (161), Pasir Gudang (157), Batu Pahat (156), Larkin (140), Kota Tinggi (128) and Kluang (105).

Other affected areas were Rompin (155) and Indera Mahkota Kuantan (152) in Pahang; IPD Serian (139) and Sri Aman (113) in Sarawak; and Tasek Ipoh (136), Pegoh Ipoh (125) and Seri Manjung (114) in Perak.

A total of 38 areas nationwide recorded moderate API readings, while only three areas - Labuan (48), Kimanis in Sabah (43) and Limbang in Sarawak (35) - recorded good readings.

An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, while readings above 300 are hazardous.

-- BERNAMA