By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 30: The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has warned that if Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in the State reach 500, all government and private-sector offices and workplaces, except essential services, must close pending a disaster emergency declaration by the National Disaster Management Council.
In a statement, the SDMC reminded the public of the following progressive guidelines according to the prevailing API level:
|
API |
Status |
Action/Guideline |
|
0–50 |
Good |
Prepare for potential air pollution. |
|
51–100 |
Moderate |
Identify outdoor activities that can be minimised; provide health education; ensure N95 masks are available and conduct fit-testing for employees working outdoors. |
|
101–200 |
Unhealthy |
Initiate the use of N95 respirators for employees working outdoors; reassign susceptible employees who have difficulty working outdoors to indoor duties; minimise strenuous outdoor tasks. |
|
201–300 |
Very Unhealthy |
Reassign susceptible employees to indoor jobs; avoid strenuous outdoor tasks; temporarily stop earthworks and earth-movement activities. |
|
301–400 |
Hazardous |
Assess visibility for work processes; use headlights while driving; ensure all persons working outdoors use N95 respirators. |
|
400–500 |
Hazardous |
Avoid outdoor work. |
|
Above 500 |
Hazardous |
All government and private-sector offices and workplaces are to be closed, except essential services, pending the National Disaster Management Council’s declaration of a disaster emergency. |
The council said that for functions, programmes, and activities, whether official, private, community-organised, or otherwise, the decision to proceed, postpone, or cancel remains at the discretion of the respective organisers at this time, unless the relevant authorities issue a specific directive.
“Members of the public likewise have the discretion to decide whether to attend or participate.
“However, SDMC strongly urges organisers and members of the public to carefully consider the prevailing API levels, haze conditions, and associated health risks before deciding to proceed with or participate in any activity, particularly outdoor activities,” it said.
Meanwhile, SDMC also encourages members of the public to take proactive preventive measures and follow the health advice of the Ministry of Health (MOH) in response to the worsening haze situation:
- Stay indoors as much as possible during periods of severe haze and keep windows and external doors closed.
- Reduce or avoid outdoor physical activities, strenuous exercise and prolonged exposure to haze.
- Where outdoor exposure is unavoidable, use an appropriate N95 respirator.
- Use the internal air-recirculation setting in vehicles to reduce the entry of polluted outdoor air.
- Maintain adequate hydration and good personal hygiene.
- Individuals with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions should continue their prescribed medication and ensure necessary medication is readily available.
- Give particular attention to children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic heart or lung conditions.
Members of the public are advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience significant breathing difficulties, persistent coughing, chest tightness or chest pain, severe eye irritation, dizziness, confusion or unusual fatigue.
The public is also advised to avoid activities that generate additional smoke, including smoking and open burning, which may further worsen air quality.
At the same time, the public has been reminded to refer to the Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak (NREB) or the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) for the latest official API readings.
As of 1pm today, APIMS has indicated that the API reading in Serian has risen to 420, placing it in the hazardous level alongside Samarahan and Kuching with readings of 337 and 308, respectively. — DayakDaily
