KOTA BHARU: The Air Pollution Index (API) at the recycling collection site on Jalan Padang Tembak, Pengkalan Chepa Industrial Area, which caught fire yesterday, recorded a reading of 46, considered good, according to the Kelantan Environment Department.
Kelantan Environment Department deputy director Mohamad Zamzani Ibrahim said monitoring conducted on Monday (Oct 28) found that the API reading remains in the green category.
He noted that previous API readings were between 20 and 30, but following the fire at the site, the readings have increased since Sunday (Oct 27) night.
"We are currently monitoring the API situation in the area surrounding the fire site every hour through the Environment Department station in Pengkalan Chepa. Given the direction of the wind, we anticipate that the API readings may increase.
"I hope the green API level can be maintained and remain at a good level until our air quality becomes clean," he told reporters during his visit to the site on Monday.
An API reading of 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, and readings above 300 are hazardous.
Kota Bharu Fire and Rescue Department commander Zukeri Shafei said today's firefighting operation is expected to be completed within three days because the recyclable materials at the incident site are combustible materials such as rubber, plastic, and fabric, complicating efforts to douse the fire.
On Sunday, around 6pm, about 80% of the site caught fire, and 40 firefighters, five fire engines, and four water tankers were deployed to put out the blaze. – Bernama
