23 areas with unhealthy air, south of peninsula still worst hit by haze

 Kota Tinggi had the highest API reading (170), followed by Pasir Gudang (169), Seremban (166), Nilai (164) and Pengerang (164).

Southern states like Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka were the worst hit by haze as of 10am. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

A total of 23 areas had unhealthy air quality as of 10am today, with the southern states in West Malaysia remaining the worst hit by haze.

The air pollutant index (API) was highest in Kota Tinggi (170), Johor, while the rest of the state also continued to battle the haze in Pasir Gudang (169), Pengerang (164), Larkin (159), Tangkak (155), Batu Pahat (152) and Kluang (152).

In Negeri Sembilan, unhealthy API readings were recorded in Seremban (166), Nilai (164) and Port Dickson (152), while Pahang reported similar air quality in Balok Baru (162), Rompin (157) and Indera Mahkota (130).

Terengganu was also affected with API readings of 156 in Kemaman, 155 in Paka and 151 in Kuala Terengganu.

In the Klang Valley, the API remained at an unhealthy level in Putrajaya (151), Cheras (127), and Johan Setia (123). Melaka reported similar API readings in Bukit Rambai (154), Melaka city (117) and Alor Gajah (107).

Serian also recorded an unhealthy reading of 116.

API readings of between zero and 50 are categorised as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and 301 and above as hazardous. - FMT