Refer only to APIMS for air quality readings, says govt

The Malaysian government has warned the public not to rely on independent websites or apps for air quality readings, urging them to use its Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) instead. As of 3pm, 38 areas in Peninsular Malaysia were recorded to have unhealthy air quality levels, while 30 showed moderate levels and none were categorized as good.

According to the environment department, differences between Malaysia's API and the AQI used by other platforms may arise due to variations in scales, calculation methods, threshold values, averaging periods, update times, and data sources. Some international platforms may utilize data from low-cost sensors, modelling estimates, or satellite imagery.

The API is calculated using sub-indices for six major air pollutants including ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, PM10, and PM2.5 (particulate matter measuring 10 and 2.5 micrometres in diameter, respectively). So far, 68 air quality monitoring stations are in operation across Malaysia under the Environmental Quality Monitoring Programme.

The department also advised the public not to engage in outdoor learning activities when API readings exceed 100, and to close schools, kindergartens, and childcare centers when readings exceed 200. If API readings stay above 150 for over 24 hours, the national disaster management committee may be activated, potentially leading to cloud-seeding operations, depending on weather conditions.

Violations of the air quality regulations could result in fines ranging from RM25,000 to RM1 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.