KUALA LUMPUR: Parts of Sarawak and Selangor recorded hazardous and unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 7pm today.
Two stations in Miri recorded vastly different readings, with the one at the Industrial Training Institute (ILP) tipping the scales at a hazardous 390, while the one at SK Kuala Baram 2 recorded an unhealthy 137.
The reading at ILP was slightly lower than its peak of 392 at 11am.
Meanwhile, in Selangor, Johan Setia, Klang, recorded an unhealthy reading of 115.
All other areas were reported to be experiencing moderate levels of API.
The hazy conditions in Peninsular Malaysia are confirmed to be due to forest fires in Kalimantan.
The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee, however, said in a statement that the high readings in ILP and SK Kuala Baram 2 were also due to burning activities nearby.
“The air quality monitoring stations around ILP and SK Kuala Baram 2 showed a jump in the API readings which was caused by burning near the areas.
“Other stations have recorded an increase in their API due to the forest fires happening across Kalimantan but remain at moderate levels.
“The situation in Miri is deemed ‘localised haze’ (due to the burning nearby). The API will be continuously monitored,” it said.
The API readings are based on the presence of particle matters of less than 2.5 microns. The air pollution level is categorised as good from zero to 50, moderate (51-100), unhealthy (101-200), very unhealthy (201-300) and hazardous (301 and more).
For updates on the latest hourly readings, the public can visit apims.doe.gov.my.