SHAH ALAM, Oct 14 — Klang’s Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 5pm rose to 181 from 179 the previous hour, making it the town with the second-worst air quality in Malaysia, behind Johor’s Pasir Gudang (183).
Four other air quality monitoring stations in Selangor had unhealthy readings, too, with Johan Setia at 179, Shah Alam (167), Banting (164), and Petaling Jaya (159). The remaining station in Kuala Selangor had a moderate reading of 97.
Nearby in Kuala Lumpur’s Cheras, the station showed an unhealthy reading of 171 while Batu Muda was at 164. Putrajaya meanwhile logged an API score of 169.
Only one Malaysian town had good air quality — Kedah’s Langkawi (48).
An API reading of zero to 50 is good, 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, and above 300 is hazardous.
Schools in Selangor ordered shut today, but the Selangor State Education Department (JPNS) earlier released a statement announcing local schools will reopen tomorrow.
It advised students to use face masks at school, and told parents to keep their children home if they are worried about the haze.
