Haze in your area? Here's how to check the Air Pollution Index on your phone
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians living across the country likely noticed a dip in air quality in the past few days, following reports of trans-boundary haze affecting the nation.
Initial reports yesterday (July 20) noted unhealthy readings on the Air Pollutant Index (API) recorded by the Department of Environment (DOE) at five locations, including Nilai, Negri Sembilan; Alor Gajah, Melaka; Putrajaya; along with Banting and Johan Setia in Selangor.
Those looking to keep an eye on the API can use the Department of Environment's (DOE) official mobile app, MyJAS EQMS , which provides access to the API Management System as well as river and marine water quality indexes.
MyJAS EQMS has a dashboard displaying the most recent API readings from DOE monitoring stations and the dominant type of air pollutant. — Screenshots from app
The app provides hourly updates on air quality measured at various monitoring stations set up across the country. It also displays a record of the hourly API readings from the last 24 hours.
To check the air quality in their area, users can simply tap on the 'APIMS' button after launching the app, which will then open a dashboard showing the most recent readings, the nearest monitoring station, and the dominant type of air pollutant contributing to the reading.
For instance, at the time of publication, the Petaling Jaya monitoring station recorded a moderate API reading of 78, with 'PM2.5' identified as the dominant pollutant.
PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or smaller in diameter, which is small enough to be easily inhaled into the lungs.
The DOE categorises API readings of 101 and above as unhealthy, while readings over 200 are considered very unhealthy. A colour-coded legend explaining the API categories and values is also available in the app.
MyJAS EQMS further includes a map showing the most recent API readings from DOE monitoring stations nationwide, along with the option to check air quality in other regions across the country.
The app is available on both the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. The APIMS dashboard is also available on the DOE website.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Covid-19 exposed our healthcare system's weakness, say doctors
PETALING JAYA: The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of the country's healthcare services, says consultant paediatrician and child disability activist Datuk Dr Amar-Singh HSS. 'It is not that we did not know that our health services had been slowly decaying for decades, but we were not allowed to speak publicly about it and always 'today, you will have to manage with what you have'. 'During the height of the pandemic, we experienced desperate cries for help to find an ICU bed for their family members. The support for carers was weak, equipment and resources were limited even in non-pandemic times, stretched thin. 'Some doctors placed their children with grandparents and did not see them for months,' said Dr Amar at a launch of the book titled 'Crisis and Community: Covid-19 in Malaysia' at Gerakbudaya here Sunday (July 27). The book is a compilation of essays on the Covid-19 crisis by all levels of society, edited by Bridget Welsh. Speaking further at the event, which was attended by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Dr Amar said that there must be better preparation for the next pandemic by placing greater emphasis on building our institutional services, especially health, education and social services. Fellow panellist Ampang Hospital paediatrician Dr Tan Hui Siu narrated how the medical officers and healthcare workers trudged through the pandemic and had to make do with what they had as frontliners. 'We were giving our best in caring, but also to provide compassionate care and treatment that soothes and comforts everyone. 'So there was a gap where we were actually preparing those guidelines and with some of the clinicians, but by the time they were implemented, it was inadequate,' said Dr Tan. She talked of how she struggled to cope with the deaths of patients younger than her and how her teams had to care for patients on their deathbeds alone due to the lockdown. Meanwhile, virologist and policy analyst Dr Lyana Khairuddin called for better education on the vaccine naysayers as well as more investments to be made into vaccine research and development. She labelled the frantic search for vaccines during the pandemic as the 'Vaccine Hunger Games'. 'The Hunger Games aside, there was also the fight to actually get a slot to be jabbed,' said Dr Lyana. She said that the pandemic revealed the need for more science education among Malaysians. 'There are still people saying 'I have survived the pandemic and I am not vaccinated and I am okay and healthy'. Then, there are those who say that 'my mother died because she got the vaccine',' said Lyana. She stressed that there must be more conversations on why vaccines were given during the pandemic and more critical thinking so that people do not fall easily for 'popular traditional cures' during the next pandemic.
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Rakan KKM part of push to fix public healthcare, says minister
PETALING JAYA: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has reaffirmed his determination to reform health financing, calling it a critical mission in his second term as the nation faces rising pressure on its public healthcare system. "This is my second bite of the cherry. I came back with a vengeance to get reform done — especially health financing. "We have studied the issues, we have run the numbers, and now, we must act," he said in his speech at the launch of the book "Crisis and Community: Covid 19 in Malaysia" here today. Dzulkefly said the country can no longer rely solely on annual budget increases, citing limited fiscal space and growing demands on public healthcare. He said there is a need for structural solutions that improve sustainability without compromising access or quality. Part of that broader reform agenda includes Rakan KKM, which he described as a "game-changer" to address talent attrition and generate revenue within the public system. The model allows specialists to offer paid elective services at selected public hospitals, with proceeds reinvested to upgrade facilities and expand capacity. "This isn't about jumping queues for emergency cases. It's about giving people an option for elective procedures while retaining top talent in the public sector." He also addressed concerns about fairness, emphasising that emergency and critical care services will remain fully subsidised and prioritised for all Malaysians. The programme, which provides "premium economy" services, will operate under the ownership of the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc), ensuring transparency and public accountability. He said a full media briefing on Rakan KKM is expected soon, where further details on implementation, pricing, and safeguards will be announced. Dzulkefly also urged all stakeholders to support meaningful reform and judge the initiative by its long-term impact on the nation's healthcare system.
BusinessToday
15 hours ago
- BusinessToday
Cheras And Miri Records ‘Unhealthy' Air Quality
The air quality in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, and Miri in Sarawak has reached 'unhealthy' levels, with authorities warning residents to limit outdoor activities as haze continues to affect parts of the country. As of 11:05am today, real-time data from the Air Pollution Index Management System (APIMS) under the Department of Environment (DOE) showed readings of 125 in Cheras and 129 in Miri. Both figures fall within the 'unhealthy' range of 101-200, which may pose health risks, especially to sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and those with respiratory issues. The rest of Malaysia continues to report moderate to good air quality, with API levels staying below 100 in most areas. According to APIMS classification, an API reading of between 0 and 50 is classified as 'Good', between 51 and 100 as 'Moderate', between 101 and 200 as 'Unhealthy', between 201 and 300 as 'Very Unhealthy' while any API reading above 300 is classified as 'Hazardous'. The department has attributed the deterioration to transboundary haze, particularly affecting the west coast regions. Prevailing wind patterns have carried smoke and particulate matter across the border, a recurring issue during dry seasons in Southeast Asia. Related
