Malaysia’s air quality worsens despite rain, with Serian recording highest API

 

AIR quality has slipped into the unhealthy range at 38 monitoring stations nationwide, with Sarawak recording the country’s highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading, based on Department of Environment (DOE) data at 8.45am today.

IPD Serian recorded an API of 188, putting it at the top of the national readings and only 13 points below the 201 threshold for the “very unhealthy” category.

Johan Setia in Selangor followed closely behind with an API of 183. Johor emerged as the state with the largest number of unhealthy readings.

Pasir Gudang recorded 172, followed by Larkin at 169, Tangkak at 166, Kota Tinggi at 165, Pengerang at 162, Batu Pahat at 160 and Kluang at 151.

Air quality was also poor across much of the Klang Valley. Cheras recorded an API of 170, while Shah Alam registered 167, Putrajaya 165 and Batu Muda 161.

Petaling Jaya and Klang both recorded 160, while Banting came in at 157.

For many Malaysians, this may come as a surprise since the Klang Valley experienced quite a bit of downpour.

But ophthalmologist Dr Andrew Low on threads explained that the rain only washes away the big particles, not the PM2.5 particles. 

“It’s 30x smaller than your hair, you can’t see it but it goes into your eyes and lungs. That’s why red eyes and dry eyes get worse after rain in Malaysia,” he explained.

According to Low, the PM2.5 particles infiltrate the bloodstream, damage lungs, heart, cause stroke, even anxiety and depression.

Towards Negeri Sembilan, Nilai posted an API of 167 and Seremban 164, while Port Dickson recorded 140.

Sarawak also saw elevated readings beyond Serian, with Samarahan at 163 and Kuching at 154.

Several areas in Pahang were similarly affected. Balok Baru and Indera Mahkota in Kuantan recorded 161 and 160 respectively, while Temerloh and Jerantut each registered 155. Rompin recorded an API of 152.

In Terengganu, Kemaman recorded 157, followed by Paka at 156 and Kuala Terengganu at 153.

Melaka’s Alor Gajah and Bukit Rambai recorded 157 and 155 respectively, while Perak saw readings of 157 in Tanjung Malim, 154 in Seri Manjung and 141 in Tasek Ipoh.

Kuala Selangor in Selangor also recorded an unhealthy API of 155.

The lower end of the unhealthy readings was recorded in northern areas. Balik Pulau in Penang registered 131, while Minden recorded 111.

Sungai Petani in Kedah posted the lowest reading in the unhealthy category nationwide at 103.

Under the DOE’s API classification, readings from 101 to 200 are considered “unhealthy”.

People living in affected areas are advised to take precautions, particularly children, senior citizens and those with respiratory or heart-related conditions.

They should limit prolonged outdoor activities and continue monitoring updates from the DOE.— Focus Malaysia