PETALING JAYA: Air quality improved significantly nationwide as only one area recorded an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading as of 9am on Monday (Sept 28), according to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
IPD Serian in Sarawak was the only station to record an unhealthy reading at 152, a marked improvement from Sunday when six areas recorded unhealthy readings, including four in Johor.
Among the areas with the highest moderate readings were Pasir Gudang in Johor (85), Kuching in Sarawak (85), Rompin in Pahang (79) and Larkin in Johor (77), along with Tawau in Sabah (77).
Samarahan in Sarawak (76), Nilai in Negeri Sembilan (73), Batu Pahat in Johor (73) and Pengerang in Johor (73) also recorded elevated moderate readings, while Cheras in WP Kuala Lumpur (72) and Kota Tinggi in Johor (71) — which led the unhealthy list just 24 hours ago — have since dropped into the moderate range.
Meanwhile, 60 areas around the country recorded API readings at the moderate level, while seven areas recorded good readings - Kuala Terengganu in Terengganu (50), Kulim Hi-Tech in Kedah (49), Balik Pulau in Pulau Pinang (46), Temerloh in Pahang (43), Besut in Terengganu (41), Tanah Merah in Kelantan (33) and Langkawi in Kedah (29).
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.
