Malaysians face dual threats of haze and high UV levels, experts warn

Veil of grey: A photo taken around 1.30pm shows worsening haze conditions along the Federal Highway between Petaling Jaya and Bangsar. The Kuala Lumpur city skyline, usually visible in the background, is completely obscured by the dense smog, highlighting the seriousness of the air pollution. — ART CHEN/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are confronting a dual threat of increasing haze and elevated Ultraviolet Radiation Index (UVI) levels; however, climate experts caution that the haze presents a greater health risk.

This concern is echoed by Faculty of Marine Sciences and Environment at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) senior lecturer Dr Chung Jing Xiang, who emphasised that while both are detrimental, the haze presents a notably greater threat to human health.