PETALING JAYA: A total of 20 areas in Malaysia recorded unhealthy to hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 9am on Thursday (Sep 3), according to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
Sarawak's IPD Serian is the only area that recorded hazardous levels of air pollution, with an API reading of 345. Four other areas in Sarawak, namely Sri Aman (294), Kuching (273), Samarahan (255), and Sarikei (223), recorded very unhealthy levels of air quality.
Most of the 14 areas that recorded unhealthy levels of air pollution are in Sarawak, Sabah. Other areas that recorded unhealthy readings are Labuan, with an API reading of 160 and Nilai, Negri Sembilan (110)
45 other areas around the country recorded API readings at the moderate level, while 3 areas, Tanah Merah, Kelantan; Kangar, Perlis; and Langkawi, Kedah, recorded good API 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.
