{
  "id": 949179,
  "title": "Kuching tops unhealthy air quality readings as nine Sarawak areas hit ‘unhealthy’ level",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/kuching-tops-unhealthy-air-quality-readings-as-nine-sarawak-areas-hit",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-15T04:12:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/126197/kuching-tops-unhealthy-air-quality-readings-as-nine-sarawak-areas-hit-unhealthy-level"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Saturday at 10am, Kuching recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 166, making it the most polluted area among nine Sarawak regions, as per the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). Samarahan and IPD Serian followed with API readings of 163 and 162, respectively. Bintulu and Sarikei recorded readings of 157 each. Sri Aman, Sibu, Mukah, and Samalaju reported API readings of 153, 152, 151, and 125, respectively. Nationally, 47 areas had moderate air quality, while 12 were categorized as good. The API classification system indicates readings between 51 and 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, and above 300 as hazardous. APIMS provides hourly updates based on data from 68 air quality monitoring stations across the country.",
  "summary": "NINE areas in Sarawak recorded unhealthy air quality readings as of 10am on Saturday, with Kuching recording the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 166, according to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). Samarahan recorded an A...",
  "key_points": [
    "Kuching recorded highest API reading of 166 on Saturday",
    "Samarahan and IPD Serian followed with API readings of 163 and 162",
    "Nationally, 47 areas had moderate air quality"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Kuching and eight other Sarawak areas being classified as 'unhealthy' indicates a significant deterioration in regional air quality, affecting residents' health and well-being.",
  "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."
}