Port Klang, Miri record unhealthy readings

Haze in Papar. - Filepic

PETALING JAYA: Port Klang and Miri have recorded unhealthy air reading under the Air Pollutant Index (API).

As at 5pm yesterday, the API readings for Port Klang stood at 106 and Miri at 144.

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

Areas which registered moderate levels were Cheras (86), Shah Alam (90), Nilai (84), Banting (82), Petaling Jaya (79) and Putrajaya (75).

Air quality in East Malaysia was generally good with Sandakan recording an API reading of 32 and Tawau (30).

In a statement released by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Jaafar, it said the haze in the Klang Valley was chiefly due to peat fires in Selangor and Pahang.

As for Miri, the haze had been attributed to forest fires in Bekenu and Marudi.

Firemen are working hard to put out the fires.