Malaysia’s API data not up to par, says PKR rep as haze worsens

PKR’s Kelana Jaya MP Wong Chen has pointed out discrepancies with that the Air Pollutant Index data is published. He said such measurements created a more positive and ‘illusionary picture’ of the nation’s air quality. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, September 27, 2015.

Putrajaya should start publishing Air Pollutant Index (API) data which measures finer particulate matter, said a PKR federal lawmaker, noting that discrepancies between the smoggy conditions and the current API readings were due to Malaysia still measuring larger particles at 10 microns or PM10.

Kelana Jaya MP Wong Chen said Malaysia should use measurements that could capture particulates of 2.5 microns (PM2.5) as was done in most countries, including Singapore and Indonesia.

He said the PM2.5 data was even available in Department of Environment (DoE) stations here but failure to use it resulted in overall and substantially lower measurements in Malaysia, creating a more positive and "illusionary picture" of the nation's air quality.

"The greater travesty in this action is that the Barisan Nasional government has completely failed to take into account the greater health dangers posed by the smaller air particles of PM2.5, which may lodge in your lungs and enter the bloodstream. 

"I therefore urge the Barisan Nasional government to start publishing PM2.5 data in accordance with regular standards of many countries. 

"These PM2.5 data are currently available in DoE stations in Putrajaya, Banting, Cheras, Langkawi and Kuching and must be released on an hourly basis starting from now," he said in a statement today.

This morning, API readings showed worsening levels, with some areas breaching the "very unhealthy" range of 200 to 300. 

The first-term lawmaker also urged the Pakatan Harapan state governments of Penang and Selangor to immediately set up PM2.5 measurement facilities as an alternative to the DoE and produce hourly reports.  

Malaysians have expressed concerns and scepticism over the API readings provided by the DoE. 

Despite the burning smell and grey smoggy skies, the readings have registered only "unhealthy" levels, but some feel actual levels should be higher.

According to the DoE website, an API in the 0-50 range is good, 51-100 is moderate, 100-200 is unhealthy, 200 to 300 very unhealthy and above 300, hazardous. 

The DoE said previously that readings could be moderate but visibility poor because API readings represented an average. 

Wong (pic) said most countries, including Singapore and Indonesia, are now measuring PM2.5 particulates. 

Citing a report in The Star newspaper dated November 12, 2012, Wong also expressed his disappointment that the DoE which was quoted in the article had stated that new air quality standards that will include PM2.5, will only be incorporated by 2016.

"Please note that I am not advocating a public health scare. But the basic principle here is that the public must first be fully informed on the air quality, so that they can then choose to mitigate their own risks when pursuing activities outdoors. 

"The act of white washing the haze will not with any certainty, improve economic or tourist numbers but it will, with certainty, exact a heavy healthcare and human costs on the uninformed public," he added.

- TMI