Serian, Sarawak recorded an extremely high Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 517 today (4 September), placing the district well into the hazardous category as haze continues to affect several parts of the country.
According to data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), the reading was recorded at around 11am, making Serian the worst-affected area in the country at the time.
Previously, Sarawak state secretary Datuk Zainudin Aman, who also chairs the state disaster management committee, said a haze emergency or disaster would be declared if the API reading reached 500 or higher.
Kuching also records hazardous air quality
According to The Borneo Post, several other areas in Sarawak also recorded worrying API readings. Kuching recorded an API reading of 310, followed by Samarahan at 281 and Sri Aman at 239.
Under Malaysia’s API classification, readings above 300 are considered hazardous, while readings between 201 and 300 are classified as very unhealthy.
Meanwhile, 10 areas were classified as having unhealthy air quality, including Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, Samalaju, the Institut Latihan Perindustrian Miri, Sandakan, Politeknik Kota Kinabalu, Pasir Gudang and Segamat.
Another 42 areas recorded moderate air quality, including Labuan, Alor Gajah, Seremban, Johan Setia, Temerloh and Cheras.
While much of the country was experiencing moderate to hazardous air quality, only 12 monitoring areas recorded healthy readings. These included Seberang Perai, Kota Bharu, Alor Setar, Kulim Hi-Tech, Seberang Jaya, Sungai Petani, Minden, Tanah Merah, Balik Pulau, Taiping, Kangar and Langkawi.
Malaysia’s API scale classifies readings from 0 to 50 as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy and readings above 300 as hazardous.
Check air quality before heading outdoors
The API is updated hourly using data from 68 air-quality monitoring stations nationwide.
With conditions varying significantly between locations, members of the public can check the latest air quality in their area through the Department of Environment’s official channels, including the EQMS website and MyJAS EQMS app on Google Play and the App Store.
If your area is experiencing poor air quality, it may be worth checking the latest readings before planning outdoor activities.
Stay tuned to WORLD OF BUZZ for more updates!
