A total of 31 areas across several states recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 7am today, with Johan Setia in Selangor posting the highest reading at 198, just below the very unhealthy threshold.
According to the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), six areas in Selangor were at unhealthy levels — Johan Setia (198), Shah Alam (170), Banting (166), Petaling Jaya (162), Klang (161) and Kuala Selangor (141).
Elsewhere in the Klang Valley, Putrajaya recorded an API of 171, while Kuala Lumpur’s Cheras and Batu Muda registered 165 and 162 respectively.
In Perak, five monitoring stations were in the unhealthy range, led by Seri Manjung at 175, followed by Tasek Ipoh at 173, Pegoh Ipoh at 153, Tanjung Malim at 152 and Taiping at 103.
Negeri Sembilan recorded unhealthy readings in Nilai at 181, Seremban at 171 and Port Dickson at 159.
In Melaka, the affected areas were Alor Gajah at 165, Bukit Rambai at 162 and Bandaraya Melaka at 154.
Five locations in Johor also recorded unhealthy air quality — Tangkak (159), Segamat (158), Batu Pahat (155), Kluang (152) and Larkin (131).
On the east coast, Temerloh and Jerantut in Pahang registered API readings of 151 and 110 respectively.
Sarawak recorded four unhealthy areas, comprising Sibu at 157, Sarikei at 156, Sri Aman at 154 and Bintulu at 152.
Under Malaysia’s API classification, readings of 0 to 50 are considered good, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy and above 300 hazardous.
Johan Setia’s reading of 198 places it close to entering the very unhealthy category should air quality deteriorate further.
