Air quality in Peninsular Malaysia worsens

PETALING JAYA: The air quality in Peninsular Malaysia has worsened as the day progressed, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) bordering on unhealthy levels on Wednesday.

According to Department of Environment’ website, Cheras recorded an API reading bordering an "unhealthy" ozone level at 91c.

Shah Alam and Port Klang's API reading was a "moderate" level of 95 as of 3pm, increasing from its 8am reading of 86 and 87 respectively.

Petaling Jaya's API reading increased to a "moderate" level of 87 at 3pm from its 81 reading at 8am.

As of 3pm, Banting increased to 94 from 89 (at 8am) and Putrajaya increased to 90 from 83 (at 8am).

Sabah and Sarawak's air quality was "good" except for Bintulu, which had a "moderate" reading of 52.

The API reading of 100 to 200 is considered "unhealthy", 51 to 100 is considered "moderate", while 0 to 50 is considered "good".

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).