Glitch in Penang API readings

Tight landing: An aeroplane approaching Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas for landing.

GEORGE TOWN: Although Penang was enveloped in a veritable smog on Tuesday afternoon, the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings for the state ranged between only 60 and 72.

Many Penangites on social media expressed disbelief at the API readings issued by Department of Environment (DOE) and began searching for alternative sources of information on the haze.

It turned out that there was a glitch in DOE’s system.

Bernama reported that DOE clarified in a statement yesterday that a technical fault resulted in inaccurate API readings between 1pm and 6pm on Tuesday at its data centre.

DOE said that it had identified the cause of the fault and will ensure that it does not recur.

The statement did not elaborate on what the inaccuracies were.

So what might Penang’s API reading have actually been during the glitch?

According to the mobile app Air Matters, Penang’s API soared to 215 by 6pm on Tuesday.

The global app allows users with private air quality measuring devices to connect their devices to the app and share the data globally.

In Malaysia, the app showed that the only users it had transmitting air quality data were two – one in Taman Jesselton Heights and another somewhere in Jalan Macalister.

The data they shared showed that Penang’s API was just 51 at noon on Tuesday but one hour later, it skyrocketed to 121.

Meanwhile, the official API from DOE still ranged in the 50s and 60s from the four DOE stations here.

On Tuesday at 10.28pm, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) twitted a message announcing that four commercial flights were affected and urged passengers to contact the respective airlines for alternative arrangements.

Penang’s API at that time was 224 according to Air Matters but 119 in Balik Pulau according to DOE.

The API read by Air Matters was highest in Penang at 4am yesterday, at 244. Only by 8am yesterday did the API readings from DOE and Air Matters become similar.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said several commercial flights and cargo, which were scheduled to arrive at the Penang International Airport (PIA), were affected due to the haze.

“The visibility at the airport was 1,500m as of noon. Airport operator Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd will be working hand-in-hand with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia and airlines to provide the latest information, ” he said here yesterday.