Penang: Schools may be ordered to close if air quality worsens

George Town, Penang - Four air quality monitoring stations in the state recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings on Tuesday morning, prompting authorities to issue advisories to the public. State Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo reported API readings of 167 in Minden, 164 in Balik Pulau, 162 in Seberang Jaya, and 160 in Seberang Prai.

These stations had previously recorded unhealthy readings in the past 24 hours, with Seberang Jaya and Seberang Prai seeing their API levels rise from moderate to unhealthy. The state government urged residents not to panic but to follow precautionary measures, especially in areas with unhealthy API levels. Individuals with respiratory issues, children, senior citizens, and pregnant women were advised to limit strenuous outdoor activities in these areas.

Symptoms such as coughing, breathing difficulties, chest discomfort, sore throat, or eye irritation suggested a need to reduce outdoor exposure and seek medical attention if symptoms persisted. The public was encouraged to continue daily activities while monitoring local conditions and API readings but to reduce unnecessary outdoor activities if readings continued to rise.

The state government, through various agencies, pledged to monitor air quality and collaborate with the Department of Environment on assessments. Efforts were also underway to control open burning and fires contributing to deteriorating air quality. Authorities would continue monitoring API readings, hotspots, and transboundary haze developments, integrating meteorological information as they assessed the situation and implemented haze-management measures.

The Department of Environment intensified its open-burning prohibition campaign through outreach to educational institutions, communities, industries, and government agencies. Sundarajoo urged the public to avoid pollution-causing activities, report incidents to authorities, remain calm, and prioritize the health and safety of themselves and their families.