{
  "id": 15083918,
  "title": "Johor leads unhealthy air quality readings, followed by Selangor",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/johor-leads-unhealthy-air-quality-readings-followed-by-selangor",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T01:01:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1557249/johor-leads-unhealthy-air-quality-readings-followed-selangor"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On today's morning, Johor and Selangor emerged as the states grappling with the most severe haze-related air quality issues, as reported by the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System. Out of the 24 monitoring stations across the nation, eight in Johor and five in Selangor recorded unhealthy API readings.\n\nAmong Johor's stations, Pasir Gudang led with an API reading of 198, followed closely by Larkin at 178, Pengerang at 175, Kota Tinggi at 173, Batu Pahat at 170, Tangkak at 167, Segamat at 160, and Kluang at 159. In Selangor, Johan Setia recorded the highest reading at 172, trailed by Klang at 171, Petaling Jaya at 169, Shah Alam at 168, and Banting at 152. The Federal Territories also contributed to the poor air quality, with Putrajaya recording an unhealthy reading of 162, while Cheras and Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur reported 161 and 158, respectively.\n\nNegri Sembilan was not far behind, with Nilai posting a reading of 174, followed by Seremban at 171 and Port Dickson at 158. Melaka faced unhealthy air quality in three areas: Bandaraya Melaka at 169, Bukit Rambai at 166, and Alor Gajah at 165. Sabah's Sandakan and Tawau registered unhealthy levels at 155 and 151, respectively.\n\nIn total, 43 stations nationwide recorded moderate air quality. API readings range from zero to 50, indicating good air quality, 51 to 100, representing moderate air quality, 101 to 200, reflecting unhealthy conditions, 201 to 300, denoting very unhealthy air, and above 300, suggesting hazardous air quality.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Johor and Selangor remain the states worst affected by haze, with 24 air quality monitoring stations nationwide recording unhealthy levels as of 8.30am today.",
  "key_points": [
    "Johor and Selangor face severe haze-related air quality issues.",
    "Pasir Gudang in Johor recorded the highest API reading of 198.",
    "Selangor's Johan Setia station reported 172 as the highest API reading."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Concentrated unhealthy air quality readings in Johor and Selangor signal a localized environmental crisis that forces residents in these heavily impacted industrial and urban corridors to face immediate respiratory risks.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}