Eight places in four states record unhealthy API levels

Parched land: Firemen fighting wildfires in the Daro sub-district in central Sarawak where 500 acres of land have been ravaged. — Photo courtesy of Bomba

PETALING JAYA: The number of towns and cities with unhealthy air quality has gone up as the haze worsens.

At 6pm yesterday, eight locations in Penang, Perlis, Kedah and Sarawak recorded Air Pollutant Index (API) readings of more than 100.

They were led by Kangar with an API of 141, followed by Alor Setar (140), Mukah (139) and Seberang Jaya (117).

Sibu had an API of 112, while Sungai Petani and Seberang Perai both recorded an API of 107.

Balik Pulau, meanwhile, had an API of 105, according to the Air Pollutant Index of Malaysia.

The number of areas with unhealthy air quality rose yesterday from six at noon to eight as at 6pm.

Air quality is classified as good when the API is 50 and below, and moderate when the API reading is between 51 and 100.

An API of between 101 and 200 means the air quality is considered unhealthy.

A reading of 201-300 means that the air quality is very unhealthy, and an API of more than 300 is hazardous.

Temperatures in several parts of the country have been rising due to the current southwest monsoon, which started in the third week of May.

The hot and dry weather during this time contributes to the spread of forest fires and open burning, which causes the haze.