By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 3: Lubok Antu and IPD Serian recorded very hazardous air quality readings of 470 and 408 respectively as of 8pm today, as haze conditions continued to blanket Sarawak.
According to data released by the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak, Lundu also registered a hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 322.
Five locations were classified as having very unhealthy air quality, namely Tebedu (284), Kuching (275), Sri Aman (269), Samarahan (263) and Sarikei (214).
Most other monitoring stations across the State recorded unhealthy API levels, including Betong (196), Kanowit (192), Sibu (181), Mukah (170), Bintulu (163), Samalaju (162), Lawas (156), ILP Miri (153), Limbang (152) and Kapit (151).
Meanwhile, Bario recorded an API reading of 110, while Miri was the only station to remain in the moderate category with a reading of 92.
Under Malaysia’s API classification, readings between 401 and 500 are categorised as very hazardous, while readings between 301 and 400 fall under the hazardous category. API levels above 200 are considered capable of posing significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups such as children, senior citizens, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
The latest data indicate that air quality has deteriorated across large parts of Sarawak, with several areas reaching levels that could have serious implications for public health.
NREB said API readings are calculated based on a 24-hour running average of the dominant pollutant measured at each monitoring station. The board continues to monitor air quality conditions statewide through its network of air quality monitoring stations. — DayakDaily
