PETALING JAYA: Thirty-three areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 8am on Wednesday (Sept 30), a worsening from the previous day when 31 areas recorded unhealthy readings, according to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
Unlike recent days when Sarawak dominated the unhealthy list, the haze has shifted significantly to Peninsular Malaysia. Johan Setia in Selangor recorded the highest reading nationwide at 176, followed by Cheras in WP Kuala Lumpur (173), Nilai in Negeri Sembilan (171) and Shah Alam in Selangor (170).
Pasir Gudang in Johor (169), Batu Muda in WP Kuala Lumpur (166), Putrajaya (165), Larkin in Johor (165), Seremban in Negeri Sembilan (164) and Klang in Selangor (163) also recorded unhealthy readings, along with Indera Mahkota Kuantan in Pahang (163), Balok Baru Kuantan in Pahang (163), Petaling Jaya in Selangor (161) and Banting in Selangor (160).
Bandaraya Melaka (160), Kota Tinggi in Johor (160), Kuala Terengganu in Terengganu (157), Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan (156), Bukit Rambai in Melaka (156), Pengerang in Johor (155), Seri Manjung in Perak (154), Kuala Selangor (154), Batu Pahat in Johor (154) and Kemaman in Terengganu (154) also crossed the unhealthy threshold, along with Rompin in Pahang (152), Paka in Terengganu (152), Tangkak in Johor (152), Tanjung Malim in Perak (146), IPD Serian in Sarawak (140), Alor Gajah in Melaka (136), Jerantut in Pahang (132), Kluang in Johor (131) and Segamat in Johor (115).
Meanwhile, 33 areas around the country recorded API readings at the moderate level, while two areas recorded good readings. Limbang and ILP Miri, both in Sarawak, recorded 42 and 31 respectively.
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.
