Many seek treatment for respiratory problems

PETALING JAYA: People are going to clinics around the Klang Valley for va­­rious haze-related symptoms.

A quick check with a few clinics saw an average of three patients a day seeking treatment for cold, cough and asthma.

Assistant staff nurse G. Privathy, 20, from Klinik Mediviron in Bang­sar, said that despite the return of the haze, the number of patients was no cause for alarm.

“It isn’t so bad. Patients usually come in the morning, complaining of the haze,” she said.

As of 5pm yesterday, the Air Pol­lution Index (API) for areas in the Klang Valley was good although se­­veral areas such as Port Klang, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, Batu Muda and Cheras had registered readings dangerously close to unhealthy.

An API reading 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.

Media practitioner Faizal Hassan, 30, said he avoided the outdoors due to the haze.

“I drive to work and I could barely see the KL Tower. It hasn’t affected my health but it affected my vision slightly while driving,” he said.

Housewife Sharifah Khairiah Syed Ghazali, 58, said she avoided going out as the situation looked bad.

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