PETALING JAYA: A total of 17 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings of over 100 as at 8am Sunday (Oct 11), with Pasir Gudang recording the worst air quality with an API reading of 181.
According to the Environment Department's (DOE) API Management System (APIMS) portal, seven other areas in Johor also recorded unhealthy API readings as at 8am - Larkin (179), Kota Tinggi and Tangkak (166), Segamat (163), Pengerang (161), Kluang (159) and Batu Pahat (152).
In Terengganu, the affected areas are Kemaman (155), Kuala Terengganu (154), and Paka (119), while in Pahang, Balok Baru Kuantan and Rompin recorded API readings of 158 and 154, respectively.
In Kuala Lumpur, the monitoring station at Cheras recorded an API reading of 158 while in Perak, only Tasek Ipoh recorded an unhealthy API reading of 108.
Two areas in Melaka recorded unhealthy API readings - Alor Gajah (130) and Bandaraya Melaka (127).
Meanwhile, three areas in the peninsula recorded good API readings of below 50 - Kangar, Perlis (49); Langkawi, Kedah (37) and Balik Pulau, Penang (26). 48 other monitoring stations recorded moderate API readings of between 51 to 100.
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.
