Serian tops unhealthy air quality readings as 21 areas affected

KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty-one areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as at 8am today.

Based on data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), three areas in Sarawak recorded the highest API readings — IPD Serian (182), Samarahan (168) and Sri Aman (164).

In Johor, two areas recorded unhealthy API readings — Larkin (162) and Pasir Gudang (155).

Meanwhile, Putrajaya, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan and Batu Pahat, Johor, recorded API readings of 154.

In Selangor, two areas — Shah Alam (153) and Johan Setia (127) — recorded unhealthy API readings, while Cheras was the only area in Kuala Lumpur to record an unhealthy reading, at 133.

Meanwhile, 41 areas recorded moderate API readings, including Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur (99), Miri, Sarawak (99) and Politeknik, Kota Kinabalu (98).

Five areas recorded good API readings, including Tanah Merah, Kelantan (47), Sungai Petani, Kedah (41) and Alor Setar, Kedah (35).

For the record, API readings of zero to 50 indicate good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy and 301 and above hazardous.

Indonesia is battling its worst wildfires in more than a decade, with thick smog affecting millions of people and haze spreading to neighbouring countries.

Fires have been burning since last month across seven provinces on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, while dry weather and drought linked to a "Super El Niño" are making them harder to contain.

Smoke from the fires, containing soot and tiny suspended particles, has produced haze across parts of Malaysia and Singapore.

The wildfires could continue through October or early November due to a forecasted late rainy season.

Haze contains tiny airborne particles about 30 times smaller than a human hair. These PM2.5 particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and sometimes enter the bloodstream, experts said.