Unhealthy air quality in Putrajaya, Kuala S’gor, 9 areas in S’wak

PETALING JAYA: Eight areas in the country recorded unhealthy air pollutant index (API) readings as of 11am, including Putrajaya and Kuala Selangor.

According to the environment department’s API portal, nine areas in Sarawak recorded unhealthy API readings with the highest in Serian at 197, nearly reaching very unhealthy levels.

This was followed by Kuching (174), Samarahan (173), Sarikei (161), Sri Aman (158), Bintulu (156), Samalaju (153), Sibu (151) and Miri (150).

The API reading in Putrajaya stood at 120 while Kuala Selangor’s was 102.

An API reading of between 101 and 200 is classified as unhealthy and may pose health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions.

The air quality in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur as well as Banting and Johan Setia in Selangor bordered on unhealthy with all three areas recording APIs of 100.

The APIs in Shah Alam, Selangor and Mukah, Sarawak are also close to unhealthy levels at 99 each.