PETALING JAYA: Ten areas in Sarawak recorded unhealthy and very unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 4:48pm on Thursday (Aug 21), according to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
Serian recorded the highest reading in the country at 217, placing it in the very unhealthy category. Sri Aman followed with 186, ahead of Sarikei (173), Kuching (171), Samarahan (170), Samalaju (156), Sibu (156) and Bintulu (153).
Mukah (125) and Kapit (108) also recorded unhealthy readings, rounding out the 10 worst-affected areas in the state.
Among the areas with the highest moderate readings were Johan Setia in Selangor (88), Politeknik Kota Kinabalu in Sabah (86), Batu Pahat in Johor (79) and Bukit Rambai in Melaka (78).
Miri (78) and ILP Miri (77) in Sarawak, Shah Alam in Selangor (75), Kimanis in Sabah (75), and Segamat and Tangkak in Johor (74 each) also recorded elevated moderate readings.
Meanwhile, 56 areas around the country recorded API readings at the moderate level, while two areas recorded good readings.
API readings of between zero and 50 indicate good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, while readings above 300 are categorised as hazardous.
API data is released hourly based on readings from 68 air quality monitoring stations nationwide.
