View from Ampang Lookout Point showing Kuala Lumpur air is cover by thick haze of acrid smoke hung in the air. -LOW LAY PHON/The Star
PETALING JAYA: The yearly haze continues to shroud the country, with Johor having more areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings.
As the API reading in the Klang Valley is getting lower, the Environment Department’s website revealed that at least four districts in Johor recorded API readings exceeding 100 as of 5pm yesterday.
Larkin’s API stood at 160, followed by Pasir Gudang (156), Batu Pahat (153), and Kota Tinggi (123).
Air quality is deemed unhealthy if the API reading is between 101 and 200, and very unhealthy if it is between 201 and 300.
An API of more than 300 means the air quality has become hazardous.
Nilai in Negri Sembilan, which has been recording high API levels since the haze began in late September, recorded an unhealthy reading of 105 at 4pm yesterday.
However, despite the high API reading, it appeared the air quality in Nilai is improving slightly compared with Oct 4 when the district recorded 163.
Areas recording more moderate API readings included Bukit Rambai, Melaka (99); Cheras, Kuala Lumpur (92); Tangkak, Johor (92); Banting, Selangor (90); Seremban (90); Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur (86); and Bandaraya Melaka (86).
Other areas that recorded lower API readings were Klang (85); Kluang, Johor (85); Putrajaya (84); Shah Alam (83); Kuantan (81); Petaling Jaya (80); and Kemaman, Terengganu (80).
The highest API reading recorded in Sarawak was 68 in Serian, followed by Kuching (66), Sarikei (62), and Samarahan (60).
In Sabah, Tawau recorded 69, followed by Sandakan (59), Keningau and Labuan (52 in both areas).
Districts that recorded good API levels included Langkawi (32), Sungai Petani (40), Balik Pulau, Penang (48) and Taiping (50), while Kota Kinabalu recorded 38, followed by Kimanis (26).
