Smog lifts, air quality back to normal

The sky clears as DoE reports moderate readings on air quality index in most areas.

KUALA LUMPUR: The air quality nationwide is back to normal Sunday with most areas recording moderate readings on the Air Pollutant Index.

There are no more areas with unhealthy API.

According to the Department of the Environment, 45 areas recorded moderate API readings, with Seri Manjung in Perak the highest, at 95 at 9am today.

A ‘healthy’ reading was recorded at seven areas in Sabah and Sarawak: Miri Industrial Training Institute (28), Limbang (32), Sandakan and Kapit (36), Kota Kinabalu (39), Keningau (43) and Miri (44).

On Saturday, there was only one area with an “unhealthy” reading – Balok Baru in Kuantan, Pahang, at 101, while in other areas, the air quality was either moderate or healthy.

An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy and 300 and above, hazardous.

Current readings are available at the DoE website at http://apims.doe.gov.my/v2/

The country was shrouded in smog last week from forest fires and open burning in Indonesia, causing schools in several states to be closed and several airlines having to reschedule their flight.

— BERNAMA