KUALA LUMPUR: The Air Pollution Index (API) readings at 14 locations across the country remained unhealthy as of noon today.
According to the Environment Department's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), the air quality in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur and Nilai reported to have the highest reading at 163.
Also reported unhealthy air quality in the Klang Valley and Selangor are Putrajaya (155), Shah Alam (156), Banting (156), Petaling Jaya (155), Batu Muda (151), Klang (134) and Johan Setia (151).
In Melaka, Alor Gajah recorded a reading of 133, while Bukit Rambai at 151.
Also logging unhealthy air quality readings are Seremban and Port Dickson which reported 157 and 155 respectively.
Apart from the 13 areas, the only area in Perak with unhealthy air quality was Taiping (151).
Based on Apims, air quality readings of 101 to 200 are categorised as "unhealthy".
A total of 49 of the department's air quality monitoring stations in the country reported moderate air quality readings of between 51 and 100.
The remaining five of the total 68 stations nationwide registered good API readings below 50.
The air quality drops to "very unhealthy" if an area registers an API reading of 201 to 300, while a reading of 300 and above is considered "hazardous".
Earlier this morning, 15 locations across the country reported unhealthy air quality, with Cheras having the highest reading at 164, closely followed by Nilai at 163.