Haze: Batu Muda, Johan Setia among 29 areas with unhealthy air quality

KUALA LUMPUR: Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 172 as of 8.30am today, followed by Johan Setia in Selangor at 171, according to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).

Of the 29 areas on the unhealthy list, Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam in Selangor recorded readings of 166 and 165 respectively, while Nilai in Negri Sembilan registered 165 and Port Dickson 145.

Cheras recorded 164, followed by Bukit Rambai in Melaka (163), Putrajaya and Klang in Selangor (both 162), Seremban in Negri Sembilan (159) and Banting in Selangor (158).

In Johor, Larkin recorded 157, followed by Pasir Gudang (156), Kota Tinggi (154), Kluang and Pengerang (both 151), Tangkak (131) and Batu Pahat (130).

Alor Gajah in Melaka recorded 155, while Bandaraya Melaka registered 152. In Perak, Tasek Ipoh recorded 155, followed by Pegoh Ipoh at 152.

In the east coast, Paka in Terengganu recorded 155, followed by Rompin in Pahang (153), Balok Baru in Kuantan (152), Jerantut (137), Indera Mahkota in Kuantan (125) and Temerloh (103).

Meanwhile, 32 areas recorded moderate API readings.

In the east coast, Kemaman in Terengganu recorded 99, followed by Kuala Terengganu (81) and Besut (63). Kota Baru in Kelantan registered 65, while Tanah Merah recorded 63.

In Kedah, Sungai Petani recorded 89, followed by Kulim Hi-Tech (84) and Alor Star (60).

In Penang, Seberang Jaya recorded 88, followed by Seberang Perai (86), Minden (83) and Balik Pulau (53). Kangar in Perlis recorded 56.

In Perak, Seri Manjung recorded 98, followed by Tanjung Malim (97) and Taiping (96).

In Johor, Segamat recorded 88, while Kuala Selangor in Selangor registered 100.

In Sabah, Tawau recorded 79, followed by Keningau (57) and Sandakan (54).

In Sarawak, Sri Aman recorded 92, followed by Samarahan and Serian (both 87), Kuching (84), Sibu (76), Sarikei (73), Mukah (72), Kapit (70), Samalaju and Bintulu (both 58) and Miri (52).

Seven areas recorded good API readings.

Kota Kinabalu and Politeknik Kota Kinabalu in Sabah both recorded 49, followed by Langkawi in Kedah (46), Labuan (45), Limbang in Sarawak (35), ILP Miri in Sarawak (32) and Kimanis in Sabah (30).

An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and above 300 hazardous.