DOE: Close schools, kindergartens if API tops 200

The Department of Environment (DOE) has advised schools, kindergartens, and childcare centres to close immediately when the Air Pollutant Index (API) surpasses 200, according to a statement released today. The deputy director-general of the DOE, Azuri Azizah Saedon, emphasized that educational and childcare facilities should regularly monitor API readings and be prepared to close when pollution levels approach the threshold of 200.

She also mentioned that outdoor activities should be suspended once the API exceeds 100. Azuri Azizah highlighted that these measures align with the National Haze Action Plan, a collaborative effort involving various ministries and agencies to manage haze situations. The DOE and related agencies will activate the Disaster Management Committee at different levels, including district, state, and federal, if the API remains above 150 for over 24 hours.

Additionally, cloud-seeding operations may be implemented if the API stays above 150 for more than 24 hours, depending on suitable cloud cover and weather conditions. The DOE classifies API readings from 0 to 50 as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and above 300 as hazardous. As of 12.30pm today, API readings from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) indicated that Serian had an API of 412, Samarahan and Kuching recorded 332 and 304, respectively, Sri Aman had a very unhealthy reading of 228, and several other areas were classified as having unhealthy air quality, with Sarikei at 197, Sibu at 190, Bintulu at 183, Mukah at 176, Samalaju at 175, Kapit at 161, Miri at 159, and ILP Miri at 156.

The worsening air quality poses heightened health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues, who are advised to follow the necessary precautions and limit their exposure to polluted air.