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16 June 2012| last updated at 06:25PM

Eight areas record unhealthy air quality



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KUALA LUMPUR -- Putrajaya is among the eight areas which recorded unhealthy air quality due to the haze with the air pollution index (API) reading exceeding 100 at noon today.

The API recorded in the Federal Territory of Putrajaya at 11am was 101.

The other areas which recorded high API were Port Klang (142), Petaling Jaya (131), Shah Alam (130), Banting (120), Kuala Selangor (101) in Selangor as well as Cheras (133) and Batu Muda (128) here.

According to the Department of Environment (DOE) website, www.doe.gov.my, the number of areas with unhealthy air quality rose to eight compared with seven at 7am.

A total of 31 areas from 51 DOE air quality monitoring stations throughout the country which recorded moderate API included areas such as Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, with a reading of 100 while 11 other areas recorded good air quality.

An API of 101 to 200 denotes an unhealthy level. Air quality is assumed to be good for an API of zero to 50, moderate for an API of 51 to 100, very unhealthy for an API of 201 to 300 and hazardous for an API of more than 301.

The deterioration in air quality experienced in the Klang Valley now is due to the cross-border haze from Sumatra, Indonesia.     

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Meteorological Department forecast no rain nationwide in the morning but showers in the evening in several states.  

According to the department's website, Malaysia is experiencing the Southwest Monsoon which contributes to the hot and dry weather. The situation is expected to last until September.  -- Bernama

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