24 Areas Record Unhealthy Air Quality, Pasir Gudang Highest as of 7 AM
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 24 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 7 am today, with Pasir Gudang, Johor registering the highest reading at 198.
According to data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Johor recorded the highest number of areas with unhealthy air quality, with nine monitoring stations registering API readings exceeding 150.
Apart from Pasir Gudang, other areas recording unhealthy readings included Larkin (179), Pengerang (175), Kota Tinggi (173), Batu Pahat (168), Tangkak (165), Segamat (159) and Kluang (158).
In Negeri Sembilan, Nilai recorded an API reading of 174, followed by Seremban (170) and Port Dickson (159). Meanwhile, unhealthy readings in Selangor were recorded in Johan Setia (173), Klang (172), Petaling Jaya (167), Shah Alam (167) and Banting (151).
Melaka City (170), Bukit Rambai (166) and Alor Gajah (165) were also in the unhealthy category.
In the Federal Territories, Putrajaya recorded an API reading of 161, while Cheras and Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur registered readings of 160 and 158, respectively.
In Sabah, Sandakan recorded an API reading of 154, while Tawau was approaching the unhealthy category with a reading of 149.
Meanwhile, 43 other areas recorded moderate air quality, with readings ranging from 52 to 93, including Tanjung Malim (93), Kuala Selangor (88), Seri Manjung (87), Temerloh (83), Kuantan (83) and Kota Bharu (69).
Kapit in Sarawak was the only area to record good air quality, with an API reading of 46.
Under the APIMS classification, API readings between 0 and 50 are categorised as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and above 300 as hazardous.
The public, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and individuals with respiratory conditions, are advised to reduce outdoor activities and take precautions to protect their health as haze conditions persist.
AWANI