Port Klang records unhealthy API readings

PETALING JAYA: Unhealthy levels of air pollution were recorded in Port Klang while other areas in the country recorded moderate and good readings.

According to the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index (API) reading, Port Klang recorded a reading of 102 at 9am yesterday and gradually increased to 107 as of 4pm.

Malaysian Meteorological Depart­ment spokesman Dr Hisham Mohd Anip said this was likely due to the weakening wind conditions, which might have caused the haze to remain stagnant.

“The dry weather has caused the dust and smoke to be suspended in the air. Strong wind for the past couple of weeks has dispersed them but the wind flow was probably weak yesterday,” said Hisham when contacted.

Apart from Port Klang, Kampung Air Putih in Taiping and Seri Manjung in Perak recorded moderate readings of 98 and 95 respectively while Shah Alam recorded a reading of 97 as of 4pm.

An API reading of between 0 and 50 is considered good; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy; and 301 and above, hazardous.

Hisham said the haze condition is likely due to local pollution from activities such as smoke emitted from factories and vehicles, as well as lesser rainfall.

Hisham said no rainfall is expected until next week, except for local isolated rain in the inland areas.