{
  "id": 3185386,
  "title": "Haze alert: Penang health exco advises face masks as API levels spike",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/haze-alert-penang-health-exco-advises-face-masks-as-api-levels-spike",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T04:17:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/25/haze-alert-penang-health-exco-advises-face-masks-as-api-levels-spike/232566"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "George Town, Aug 25 — Penang residents are urged to limit outdoor activities as air quality deteriorates, with three of the four monitoring stations breaching unhealthy levels, according to state youth, sports and health committee chairman Daniel Gooi. The Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) reported unhealthy air quality readings across most of the state, with Minden and Balik Pulau stations recording APIs of 155 and 151, respectively, while Seberang Perai logged 146. Only Seberang Jaya remained in the moderate category with an API of 96. Gooi advised the public to wear face masks when outdoors and adhere to health ministry guidelines, including reducing prolonged exposure, minimizing indoor air pollution, staying hydrated, washing hands and face after being outdoors, and using vehicle air conditioners in internal air circulation mode. The state remains on standby for potential increases in health complications due to the haze, with no acute respiratory cases reported so far.",
  "summary": "GEORGE TOWN, Aug 25 — Residents of Penang are urged to limit outdoor activities as air quality deteriorated today,...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "The advisory to wear face masks and limit outdoor activities signals a heightened health alert for Penang residents, particularly those in areas with unhealthy air quality readings.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Haze alert: Penang health exco advises face masks as API levels spike",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/haze-alert-penang-health-exco-advises-face-masks-as-api-levels-spike-3186572",
        "published": "2026-08-25T04:17:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}