Health Minister Advises Kids To Stay Indoors Amidst Rise In Hazardous API Readings
The only area with good air quality in the country is Kimanis, Sabah, with a reading of 48.
By Parvinsivam Thirunamakarasu — 17 Apr 2023, 05:00 PM
Yesterday, 16 April, four areas in Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan, and Johor recorded unhealthy Air Pollution Index (API) readings
According to the government's API management system (APIMS) website, Segamat, Johor recorded an unhealthy API reading of 152, whereas Cheras, Kuala Lumpur as well as Kota Bharu and Tanah Merah in Kelantan recorded API readings of 106, 107, and 104, respectively.
For reference, here's a breakdown on what API readings indicate:
-Zero to 50: good air quality
-51 to 100: moderate air quality
-101 to 200: unhealthy air quality
-201 to 300: very unhealthy air quality
-300 and above hazardous air quality
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa uploaded a video on TikTok depicting how disastrous the haze is in Sekijang, Segamat
In the three-minute video, she explained that haze consists of smoke and dust particles that can cause health problems if a large volume enters the respiratory tract.
"Haze is not good for health and can cause diseases such as eye inflammation, itchy nose, sore throat, cough, flu, and itchy skin," she explained.
Zaliha also reminded people to stay at home during the haze, especially children with asthma.
According to New Straits Times, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, has instructed the Department of Environment to monitor API readings across the country.
He also urged the department to strengthen enforcement on open burning and other activities that could contribute to haze and air pollution.
More recent API readings have shown a slight improvement, with only two areas in the unhealthy zone
According to APIMS as of 3pm today, 17 April, Segamat's API reading has dropped to 98 and is now in the moderate zone.
The same goes for Tanah Merah and Kota Bharu in Kelantan, both of which have also recorded reduced API readings of 87 and 93, respectively, and are no longer in the unhealthy zone.
The API reading for Cheras has dropped to 132 but it is still in the unhealthy zone.
Meanwhile, the reading in Seberang Jaya, Penang has increased drastically to 151.
Currently, the only area with good air quality in the country is Kimanis, Sabah, with a reading of 48.
