PETALING JAYA: Several areas in Negri Sembilan and Johor continued to record unhealthy air quality yesterday with an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of between 111 and 156.
While most other parts of the country had low to moderate readings, the haze raised the API to 146 in Nilai and 139 in Seremban, according to MetMalaysia at 5pm.
Five areas in Johor, namely Batu Pahat, Kluang, Segamat, Larkin and Tangkak also recorded unhealthy API of between 111 and 156.
Samarahan in Sarawak was the only area in the Borneo states to record an unhealthy API reading of 119, although it was about 25% higher in the morning.
Sandakan in Sabah, Langkawi in Kedah and Kangar in Perlis were the only three areas that recorded good air quality.
The remaining 54 of the 65 API stations nationwide showed moderate readings.
API readings from zero to 50 are categorised as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and 301 and above as hazardous.
In Johor Baru, deteriorating air quality in the state has led to a rise in respiratory cases and forced parents to keep their children indoors, said the Johor Doctors Association.
Its president Dr Mohamed Amin Kader said respiratory cases had increased by up to 20% amid the haze and influenza occurring at the same time.
He advised those experiencing respiratory symptoms, particularly coughing, to seek medical attention promptly.
He also advised the public to reduce outdoor activities, especially the elderly and those undergoing chemotherapy.
Those who need to go outdoors should wear face masks as an added precaution, Dr Mohamed Amin said.
For building executive Amir Abdullah, 40, the deteriorating air quality has been worrying, as his eight-year-old son is sensitive to dust.
“Since the haze started, my eldest son has been having a blocked nose, which makes him uncomfortable, especially when he wants to sleep at night,” said the father of two boys.
“I always make my sons wear face masks when they go to school and kindergarten. They feel uncomfortable wearing them, but it is for their own good,” he added.
Taxi driver Tan Wei Ming, 58, said the haze has become noticeably worse over the past few days despite occasional rain.
Housewife R. Priya, 38, who has three children, said the haze had forced her family to change their daily routine.
“Because of the haze, I hardly open the windows at home, as the smell is quite bad,” she said, adding that two of her children had only recently recovered from severe cough and flu.
Priya said her family has also been spending more time indoors, avoiding going out for dinner and other outdoor activities.
