{
  "id": 7933623,
  "title": "Perak worst hit as 28 areas nationwide turn unhealthy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/perak-worst-hit-as-28-areas-nationwide-turn-unhealthy-7933623",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-17T02:42:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/17/perak-worst-hit-as-28-areas-nationwide-turn-unhealthy/235480"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As of 9:45am today, 28 areas across the country experienced unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) levels, according to the Malaysia Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal. Five of these areas were in Perak, specifically Tasek Ipoh with a reading of 182, Seri Manjung with 180, Pegoh Ipoh with 160, Taiping with 157, and Tanjung Malim with 154. In Penang, four areas recorded unhealthy API levels - Seberang Jaya and Minden, both at 156, Seberang Perai at 154, and Balik Pulau at 110. Selangor also had four areas with unhealthy API readings: Johan Setia at 157, Shah Alam at 154, Banting at 144, and Petaling Jaya at 135. In Kuala Lumpur, Cheras and Batu Muda each recorded API levels of 157 and 155 respectively. Putrajaya had an API level of 157. Negeri Sembilan reported unhealthy API levels in Nilai at 157 and Seremban at 151, while Melaka had three areas - Bukit Rambai at 148, Bandaraya Melaka at 133, and Alor Gajah at 111. Johor had two affected areas: Batu Pahat at 152 and Kluang at 144. Kedah recorded unhealthy API levels in Sungai Petani at 160 and Kulim Hi-Tech at 132. Three states - Terengganu, Pahang, and Sarawak - each had one area with an unhealthy API reading, namely Kuala Terengganu at 153, Jerantut at 152, and Kuching at 109, respectively. Eight areas recorded moderate API levels, while three states each had one area with a good API level. API readings range from zero to 50 (good), 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy), and 301 and above (hazardous).",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — A total of 28 areas nationwide recorded Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at unhealthy le...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Perak worst hit as 28 areas nationwide turn unhealthy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/perak-worst-hit-as-28-areas-nationwide-turn-unhealthy",
        "published": "2026-09-17T02:42:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}