KOTA KINABALU: Air quality across Sabah and Labuan improved on Tuesday (Sept 8), with all seven monitoring stations recording moderate levels for the first time in two weeks.
As of 4pm, Air Pollutant Index (API) readings ranged from 69 to 98, with conditions along Sabah’s west coast showing improvement.
Labuan recorded the highest reading at 98, followed by Kota Kinabalu (90), Kimanis (87), Tawau (73), and Keningau and Sandakan at 69 each.
The Kota Kinabalu Politeknik station recorded an API reading of 93 as of 10am, but subsequent readings were unavailable.
Sabah had remained relatively free of haze after peat and forest fires broke out in Kalimantan on Borneo in early August, severely affecting Sarawak, particularly its southern areas.
Haze began affecting Sabah and Labuan from Aug 28, with several areas, especially Kota Kinabalu, Beaufort and Papar on the west coast, recording unhealthy levels of up to 179.
The haze coincided with a dry spell, although some areas have experienced brief but heavy rainfall.
Under the API classification, readings of 0 to 50 are considered good, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and above 300 hazardous.
Despite the improvement in air quality, Kota Kinabalu has continued to record extreme ultraviolet (UV) index levels, with Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) readings exceeding 11 on Tuesday.
Data from Brewer Station #231 showed UV exposure rising sharply from 8am, entering the high category by 10am and crossing into the extreme range at about 11.30am.
The UV index peaked at 12 between noon and 12.30pm, indicating extreme exposure during the midday period.
Under international classifications, UV index levels are categorised as low from 0 to 2, moderate from 3 to 5, high from 6 to 7, very high from 8 to 10, and extreme at 11 and above.
The public has been cautioned that prolonged exposure to extreme UV radiation can increase the risk of skin and eye damage, particularly among children, the elderly and outdoor workers.
MetMalaysia advised the public to take protective measures, including wearing long-sleeved clothing and hats, using umbrellas, applying sunscreen and wearing UV-protective sunglasses, as well as avoiding unnecessary exposure.
