SHAH ALAM, 3 Mar: The Air Pollution Index (API) in most parts in the country has increased, with three districts in Selangor recording unhealthy readings.
The three districts are Port Klang, with an API reading of 124, Banting (111) and Shah Alam (106).
The Department of Environment (DOE) Official Index as of 3pm, also shows that Putrajaya and Seri Manjung, Perak, have each recorded unhealthy readings of 103.
The Selangor Executive Councillor in charge of Environment, Elizabeth Wong, said that the haze was due to open burning in Sumatra and several areas in Southeast Asia, apart from the drought in this region.
“At this time, the accumulation of haze in Sumatra and the Northeast wind is causing haze in the country.
“People are advised to not do outdoor activities because it can affect health and to drink plenty of boiled water,” she told Selangor Kini today.
Readings between 0 to 50 is in the good category, 51 to 100 (medium), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and over 300 is dangerous.
The API monitoring station in Muar, Sungai Petani, Ipoh, Taiping, Perai, Kuala Selangor and Cheras in Kuala Lumpur have recorded API readings between 90 to 100; medium to unhealthy.