SHAH ALAM, Oct 23 — Negeri Sembilan’s Nilai had the worst air quality in Malaysia at 6pm today, with an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 158, followed by Seremban and Kuala Lumpur’s Batu Muda (157) and Selangor’s Klang (156).
Four of Selangor’s other air quality monitoring stations showed unhealthy API readings, at 154 in Johan Setia, 152 in Petaling Jaya, 136 in Banting, and 132 in Shah Alam. Kuala Selangor was the only local town with a moderate reading, at 81.
Nearby, Putrajaya had an API reading of 106, while Kuala Lumpur’s Cheras was at 99.
Overall, 18 towns logged unhealthy API readings, 47 localities had moderate scores, and only three had good air quality — Terengganu’s Besut (50), Kedah’s Langkawi (45), and Terengganu’s Kemaman (45).
API readings of zero to 50 are good, 51 to 100 are moderate, 101 to 200 are unhealthy, 201 to 300 are very unhealthy, and 301 and above are hazardous.
Meanwhile, schools under the Selangor State Education Department (JPNS) stayed open today, with the department instead banning outdoor activity and advising students to use masks. It also said parents worried about their children’s health may keep them home, provided they inform the school.
