SHAH ALAM, Sept 18 — Thirty-five areas nationwide had unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at 7pm today, with Selangor accounting for five of them.
Johan Setia had the worst API reading in the state and Malaysia at 180; the other Selangor towns with unhealthy scores being Shah Alam (168), Petaling Jaya (160), Banting (158), and Klang (157), according to the API Management System (APIMS) portal.
The second-worst API reading in Malaysia was in Sarawak’s Kuching (173), followed by Perak’s Seri Manjung (172) and Negeri Sembilan’s Nilai (171).
Thirty-one air quality monitoring stations logged moderate API readings, while only two areas had good air quality — Perlis’ Kangar (44) and Kedah’s Langkawi (26).
An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, and 300 and above is hazardous.
Earlier today, state executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said Selangor is considering distributing free reusable fabric masks to students in the state to protect them from the haze.
On Tuesday, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said Selangor would provide students with free face masks as the air quality in several locations worsens.
