by Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 5: Unhealthy levels of air quality have been recorded in Kuching, Samarahan and Sri Aman as of 2pm today.
A check with the Department of Environment’s Apims website showed that Kuching recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 108, while Samarahan registered a reading of 117 and Sri Aman registered 136.
An API reading exceeding 100 indicates ‘unhealthy’ air quality.
Compared to earlier readings, the haze situation in these three areas have been slowly deteriorating since 11am for Kuching and 7am for Samarahan when the API reading rose to 102.
In Sri Aman, the reading has climbed since 8pm on Wednesday (Sept 4) when it breached the unhealthy level of 103.
Air quality readings in the rest of the state were in the ‘moderate’ range, with Miri Industrial Training Institute and Mukah registering API of 86; followed by Sarikei (84); Miri (80); Bintulu (76); Sibu, Samalaju (75); Kapit (64); SK Kuala Baram 2 (60); and Limbang (53).
According to the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) website, a total of 470 hotspots were detected in neighbouring Kalimantan, mainly in the West and Central parts of the region, as of Sept 4.
An API reading of between 0 and 50 is categorised as ‘good’; 51-100 as ‘moderate’; 101-200 as ‘unhealthy’; 201-300 as ‘very unhealthy’; and 300 and above as ‘hazardous’.
The public, especially children, senior citizens and those with health problems are advised to wear face masks when outdoors and to limit outdoor activities. — DayakDaily
