Thirteen areas record 'unhealthy' API readings

KUALA LUMPUR: Thirteen areas around the country are recording "unhealthy" air quality as at 11am Saturday.

The areas included Nilai and Seremban in Negeri Sembilan with air pollutant index (API) readings of 142 and 137 respectively, Port Klang (133) and Shah Alam (128) in Selangor, Bukit Rambai in Melaka (127) and Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur (121).

The API readings for Putrajaya and Bandaraya Melaka were 119 and 124, Petaling Jaya (116) and Banting in Selangor (114), Pasir Gudang, Johor (109), Cheras (102) and Port Dickson in Negri Sembilan (112).

Moderate API was recorded in 28 areas, Larkin Lama (98) and Kota Tinggi (92) in Johor, Kuala Selangor (89), Muar in Johor (89), and Seberang Jaya 2, Perai in Penang (83).

Meanwhile, 13 areas recorded good air quality, including Sandakan in Sabah (47); Sibu in Sarawak (44) and Sekolah Menengah Tanjung Chat, Kota Baru in Kelantan (48) and Keningau in Sabah (39).

An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates "good" air quality; 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and 300 and above (hazardous).

The public can access the Department of Environment's APIMS website for latest updates. - Bernama