By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 22: Air quality across most parts of Sarawak remained in the unhealthy category this morning, with Serian recording the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 190 as haze conditions continued to affect the State.
According to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak’s air quality readings at 8am today, 14 of the State’s 18 monitoring stations registered API readings in the unhealthy range of 101 to 200.
Serian topped the list with an API reading of 190, followed by Kuching and Lubok Antu at 181, Lundu at 179, Samarahan at 177, Sri Aman at 174 and Sarikei at 172.
Other areas that recorded unhealthy air quality were Sibu (160), Bintulu (157), Mukah and Samalaju (156 each), Miri (152), Tebedu (151) and Lawas (103).
Only four locations recorded moderate air quality readings. Kapit registered an API of 97, followed by ILP Miri (89), Limbang (77) and Bario (63).
Under the API classification, readings between 101 and 200 are categorised as unhealthy, while readings between 51 and 100 are considered moderate. Readings above 200 fall within the very unhealthy category.
Authorities have advised the public to monitor official air quality updates issued by NREB and the Department of Environment (DOE), as API readings are based on data collected from a network of reference-grade monitoring stations across the State.
Residents, especially children, senior citizens and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, are encouraged to limit prolonged outdoor activities and take necessary precautions while haze conditions persist. — DayakDaily
