Air quality in west coast of peninsula worsens

The air quality in several areas on the west coast of the peninsula has deteriorated following an increase in the number of hot spots in Sumatra, Indonesia since Thursday.

The Department of Environment (DOE) said in a statement yesterday that uncontrolled open burning in Sumatra and the south-westerly wind movement have brought air pollution to the west coast of peninsular Malaysia, particularly the Port Klang area.

It said Port Klang in Selangor recorded unhealthy level with the Air Pollutant Index (API) at 118 as at 11am yesterday.

Out of the 51 DOE air quality monitoring stations nationwide, 31 areas recorded moderate air quality with API readings below 100 and the areas included Shah Alam and Banting in Selangor, Penang, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan and some areas in Terengganu and Johor.

Sixteen areas recorded good quality air with below 50 API readings and these were in Sarawak, Sabah, Paka in Terengganu and Labuan.

The prohibition on open burning is still effective in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and in Tudan, Permai Jaya and Kuala Baram in Miri, Sarawak.

- Bernama