Air Quality In Klang Valley Remains Unhealthy

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The Putrajaya International Convention Centre enveloped in haze yesterday evening. The API reading in Putrajaya remained unhealthy at 174 as of 7am today. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Air pollutant index (API) readings in the Klang Valley remained unhealthy this morning with most areas well above the 100-mark level as of 7am
In Kuala Selangor, the API reading was at 185 while Shah Alam hovered at 171
Putrajaya had an API reading of 174 while Petaling Jaya was at 165, Klang 158, Cheras 153 and Banting 148
Johan Setia meanwhile maintained a very unhealthy API reading of 213. The area has recorded readings of over 200 since midnight
An API of between zero and 50 indicates good air quality; 51 and 100, moderate; 101 and 200, unhealthy; 201 and 300, very unhealthy and 300 and above, hazardous
Yesterday, the Selangor education department said schools in Kuala Lumpur would reopen this week although 57 schools in in Kuala Langat and Klang would remain closed due to very unhealthy air pollution levels
Schools in Selangor and several other states had closed on Thursday and Friday due to the worsening haze
Schools in areas with air pollution readings of over 100 have been asked to stop all outdoor activities
If the pollution readings shoot up past 200, the schools can close after reporting the matter to the state education department
Other states in the peninsula continued to record unhealthy API readings this morning although in Sarawak, air pollution levels improved with only Sri Aman breaching the 100 mark at 153
According to health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, the number of patients seeking treatment for haze-related illnesses has risen by 40%
The National Disaster Management Agency says easterly or northeast winds are expected to blow away transboundary haze soon. - FMT

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