Unhealthy air quality in 28 areas, down from 38 yesterday

As of 9:45am today, 28 areas across Malaysia recorded an unhealthy air quality index (API) level, down from 38 areas the previous day, according to the Malaysia Air Pollutant Index Management System portal.

In Perak, five areas - Tasek Ipoh, Seri Manjung, Pegoh Ipoh, Taiping, and Tanjung Malim - logged unhealthy readings of 182, 180, 160, 157, and 154 respectively. Penang had four areas with unhealthy API values - Seberang Jaya, Minden, Seberang Perai, and Balik Pulau, with readings of 156 each, and Balik Pulau at 110.

Selangor recorded four areas with unhealthy API levels - Johan Setia, Shah Alam, Banting, and Petaling Jaya, at 157, 154, 144, and 135 respectively. Kuala Lumpur had readings of 157 in Cheras and 155 in Batu Muda, while Putrajaya recorded a reading of 157.

Negeri Sembilan recorded unhealthy readings in Nilai (157) and Seremban (151), while Melaka had three areas with unhealthy API values - Bukit Rambai at 148, Bandaraya Melaka at 133, and Alor Gajah at 111. In Johor, Batu Pahat and Kluang had readings of 152 and 144, respectively.

Kedah recorded unhealthy API values in Sungai Petani (160) and Kulim Hi-Tech (132). Three other states - Terengganu, Pahang, and Sarawak - each recorded one area with unhealthy air - Kuala Terengganu at 153, Jerantut in Pahang at 152, and Kuching in Sarawak at 109.

Moderate readings were recorded in 32 areas nationwide, while eight areas had good readings. API readings ranging from zero to 50 indicate good air quality, 51 to 100 suggest moderate air quality, 101 to 200 denote unhealthy air quality, 201 to 300 represent very unhealthy air conditions, and any value above 300 indicates hazardous air quality.