Three API stations record unhealthy reading

Slightly better: Commuters heading to Penang island in the rain yesterday morning. The short bout of rain helped improve the air quality in the state. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Three air pollution index (API) stations in Malaysia recorded unhealthy reading as of yesterday afternoon, according to the Environment Department (DOE).

The stations were Johan Setia in Selangor (143), Larkin in Johor (124) and Kota Baru in Kelantan (109).

Other stations in the country had recorded moderate level, with an API reading of between 51 and 100.

According to the Weather and Climate Services for Asean, Malaysia has shown a steady increase in monthly hotspots around the country since January.

There were 17 hotspots throughout January and the latest data from the website showed 43 hotspots as of yesterday.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying as saying that schools need to cancel all outdoor activities if the API exceeds 101.

She said it was part of the ministry’s existing standard operating procedure (SOP) and a circular regarding the matter has been issued to every state and district Education Department for further action.

“If the API reading goes up to 200 and above, the ministry will instruct schools to close. If the API reading is 101 and above, it means the air quality is not healthy, so any outdoor activity is prohibited.

“Currently, all students have been advised to put on their face masks, drink lots of water frequently and reduce all activities because of the hot weather,” she told reporters after visiting Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (C) Kampung Baru Rahang.

On Sunday, The Star reported Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad as saying that Malaysia would experience hot and dry weather until August.

He also said the country would expect to see more haze during the current monsoon transition, which would lead to more hotspots in the country.

A Swiss air quality tracking company, IQair, revealed that Kota Baru recorded the worst air quality index (AQI) at 164, followed by Tanah Merah (160) both in Kelantan and Nilai (158) in Negri Sembilan.

The company also showed that the AQI station in Kuala Lumpur had recorded readings of over 100 since last Monday with the highest reading at 116.

According to US standard AQI reading, a value of 101 and above indicates that the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and people with heart disease.