PETALING JAYA: A total of 23 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings of over 100 as at 7pm Monday (Oct 12), with Pasir Gudang, Johor, recording the worst air quality with an API reading of 177.
According to the Environment Department's API Management System (APIMS) portal, six other areas in Johor recorded unhealthy API readings - Kota Tinggi (169), Larkin (166), Pengerang (166), Batu Pahat (158), Tangkak (155) and Kluang (153).
In Negri Sembilan, monitoring stations recorded unhealthy API readings at Seremban (164), Nilai (160), and Port Dickson (153), while in Terengganu, affected areas included Kemaman (153) and Paka (136).
Two monitoring stations in Pahang also saw unhealthy air quality with Balok Baru Kuantan recording an API of 160, followed by Rompin (154).
In other states, Melaka saw three areas with unhealthy API readings - Bukit Rambai (160), Bandaraya Melaka (154) and Alor Gajah (151) - while in Selangor, only the monitoring station in Johan Setia recorded an unhealthy API reading of 152.
The air quality in Putrajaya was also in the unhealthy range, with an API reading of 153.
In Sarawak, the air quality monitoring station in Sri Aman recorded an unhealthy API reading of 162, followed by IPD Serian (160) and Samarahan (138).
According to the APIMS portal, 41 areas in Malaysia recorded moderate API readings, while there were four monitoring stations where the API fell in the good air quality range - Balik Pulau, Penang (44), Jerantut, Pahang (42), Kangar, Perlis (35) and Langkawi, Kedah (25).
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.
