Haze: 27 Areas Record Unhealthy Air Quality, Pasir Gudang Highest
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 27 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 7am today, with Pasir Gudang, Johor, registering the highest reading at 176.
According to data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), other areas recording unhealthy readings included Nilai, Negeri Sembilan (173), Johan Setia, Selangor (172), Klang, Selangor (170), and Bukit Rambai, Melaka (169).
In the Federal Territories, Cheras recorded an API reading of 165, followed by Putrajaya at 164 and Batu Muda at 162.
Johor remained the worst-affected state, with eight areas recording unhealthy air quality, including Larkin (165), Kota Tinggi (165), Pengerang (162), Batu Pahat (155), Kluang (152), and Tangkak (152).
In Selangor, seven areas recorded unhealthy air quality, including Johan Setia, Klang, Banting (160), Shah Alam (158), and Petaling Jaya (152).
Negeri Sembilan also recorded unhealthy readings in three areas, namely Nilai, Port Dickson (164), and Seremban (159), while Melaka registered three affected areas: Bukit Rambai (169), Bandaraya Melaka (164), and Alor Gajah (155).
Other areas recording unhealthy readings included Kemaman (155) and Paka (154) in Terengganu; Rompin (153) and Indera Mahkota, Kuantan (153) in Pahang; as well as IPD Serian (153) and Sri Aman (140) in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, 40 monitoring stations recorded moderate API readings, with the highest registered in Sandakan, Sabah, at 96, followed by Kuala Terengganu (94) and Samarahan, Sarawak (94).
Only one area recorded good air quality, namely Langkawi, Kedah, with an API reading of 41.
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.
Members of the public, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory illnesses, are advised to reduce outdoor activities and wear face masks as hazy conditions persist.
AWANI