Unhealthy API levels recorded in Penang

Several areas in Penang continue to be enveloped by the Haze. The Star/Lim Beng Tatt

GEORGE TOWN: Several locations in Penang continued to record unhealthy air pollutant index (API) levels on Saturday. 

According to the API readings available on the Department of Environment (DOE) website, Penang was the only state that recorded unhealthy levels. 

As of 11am the Seberang Jaya 2 and USM stations recorded readings of 107 and 106 respectively. The Prai station recorded a moderate reading of 92 as of 11am.

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). 

The API is calculated based on five major air pollutants, namely Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Ground Level Ozone (O3), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and particulate matter with a diameter below 10 micrometers (PM10). 

The concentrations of these five pollutants are measured in 52 automatic air quality stations throughout Malaysia, mainly located in industrial and urban areas