Haze: Air quality in three areas improves from 'unhealthy' to 'moderate'

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 -- Three areas in Sarawak, Penang and Johor recorded improved air quality, with ‘unhealthy’ readings changing to ‘moderate’ readings.

At 11pm tonight, the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings released through the Department of Environment’s portal, indicated moderate readings for Sri Aman (91) in Sarawak, Balik Pulau (99) in Penang and Batu Pahat (96) in Johor.

The number of areas with ‘unhealthy’ readings also reduced from 33 at 7pm to 30 at 11pm.

Both Nilai in Negeri Sembilan and Johan Setia in Selangor registered the highest ‘unhealthy’ readings at 159 and 158 respectively. 

Other areas which are still experiencing ‘unhealthy’ air quality comprise Tasek Ipoh (128), Pegoh Ipoh (109), and Seri Manjung (149) in Perak; Batu Muda (124) and Cheras (120) in Kuala Lumpur; Putrajaya (144); Kuala Selangor (128), Petaling Jaya (124), Shah Alam (124), Klang (124) and Banting (140) in Selangor; Seremban (133) and Port Dickson (144) in Negeri Sembilan; Alor Gajah (119), Bukit Rambai (125) and Bandaraya Melaka (123) in Melaka; Segamat (146) and Tangkak (113) in Johor; Rompin (119), Temerloh (155), Jerantut (110), Indera Mahkota (133) and Balok Baru (133) in Pahang; Kemaman (144), Paka (121) and Kuala Terengganu (121) in Terengganu; and Tanah Merah (113) and Kota Bharu (114) in Kelantan. 

A total of 37 other areas recorded ‘moderate’ readings.

The API comprises the following categories: good (0-50), moderate (51-100), unhealthy (101-200), very unhealthy (201-300) and hazardous (301 onwards). For updates on the haze, visit www.bernama.com.

-- BERNAMA