Latest news with #AirPollutantIndexManagementSystem
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Clear skies across Malaysia today, no unhealthy air recorded
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia recorded clear skies and no unhealthy air quality levels nationwide today, according to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). Three locations, Langkawi in Kedah (48), Tawau in Sabah (45) and Rompin, Pahang (37) reported good air quality levels. Meanwhile, 60 other locations registered moderate air quality, including several areas in the Klang Valley and Negri Sembilan. Among them were Kuala Selangor (81), Johan Setia (78), Shah Alam (76), Cheras (75), Nilai (75) and Batu Muda (74). No locations recorded unhealthy air quality as of 10am, and no transboundary haze has been reported, signalling stable atmospheric conditions across the country.
Borneo Post
10 hours ago
- Climate
- Borneo Post
NREB records moderate air quality at all 18 API stations across Sarawak as of 8am
KUCHING (July 29): The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) has detected moderate air quality at all 18 of its stations throughout Sarawak this morning. As of 8am, Lundu recorded an air pollutant index (API) reading of 88 – the highest among the 18 stations – compared to 79 at 4pm yesterday. The lowest API reading at 8am of 52 was recorded in Lubok Antu, which recorded a reading of 45 at 4pm yesterday. Meanwhile, Sibu and Miri registered API readings of 75 and 68 respectively at 8am today compared to 63 and 68 at 4pm yesterday. Kuching's API reading this morning was unchanged from the 74 recorded at 4pm yesterday. An NREB spokesperson said the board uses Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AQMS) in Lundu, Tebedu, Lubok Antu, Lawas, and Bario, while the other 13 stations in the state use the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) under the Department of Environment (DoE). According to the NREB website, a reading of 0 to 50 is considered good – low pollution without any bad effect on health, while a reading of 51 to 100 is considered moderate – moderate pollution that does not pose any bad effects on health. An unhealthy status of 101 to 200 is said to worsen the health condition of high risk individuals such as those with heart and lung complications. The very unhealthy level of 201 to 300 is said to affect public health, worsening the health condition of those with heart and lung complications. Any reading above 300 is hazardous and will endanger the public, especially high risk individuals.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Mukah records unhealthy API as Sarawak faces moderate air quality
Mukah recorded an API reading of 153, the highest in the state and the country. KUCHING (July 28): The Air Pollutant Index (API) in Mukah recorded an unhealthy level as of 3pm today, while other parts of Sarawak recorded moderate air quality, according to the Department of Environment's (DoE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). Mukah recorded an API reading of 153, the highest in the state and the country. Any API reading between 101 and 200 is categorised as unhealthy and may pose health risks to sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and individuals with respiratory conditions. Elsewhere across the state, API readings remained within the moderate range (51–100). Kuching recorded a reading of 75, followed by Samarahan (54), Serian (58), Sri Aman (55), Sarikei (65), Kapit (51), Sibu (63), Bintulu (69), Samalaju (78), ILP Miri (67), Miri (65), and Limbang (64). The Department advises the public to reduce outdoor activities and wear face masks when necessary, especially in areas with higher API readings. The DoE's API is calculated based on the average concentrations of five major pollutants: ozone (O₃), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), and particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅). Members of the public are advised to stay updated through official platforms and take necessary precautions, especially in areas experiencing deteriorating air quality and or the latest updates, visit Meanwhile, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reported a notable drop in hotspot activity across Sabah and Sarawak over the past two days. A total of 28 hotspots were detected on July 26, but only two were reported on July 27. Data for July 28 has not yet been released. The ASMC noted that isolated hotspots were still visible in parts of Borneo, Sumatra, and Peninsular Malaysia, with slight to moderate localised smoke plumes observed from some hotspots in western Kalimantan, eastern Peninsular Malaysia, and central Sumatra. It added that cloud cover over several areas hampered full detection of hotspots and the extent of haze in the region. Looking ahead, relatively dry conditions are forecast to persist across the southern Asean region, including much of Borneo. Only isolated showers are expected over parts of central and southern Sumatra, Java, and northeastern Borneo. 'Isolated hotspots and smoke haze activities may still occur over drier areas, with a chance of transboundary haze occurrence,' the ASMC said in an update this morning. The ASMC added that the prevailing winds over the southern Asean region are expected to blow from the southeast to south, which may influence the movement of smoke haze from hotspots in Kalimantan and Sumatra. Air Pollutant Index haze lead
Asia News Network
a day ago
- Climate
- Asia News Network
Malaysian city folk turn to masks and air purifiers
July 28, 2025 PETALING JAYA – As the haze continues to blanket some parts of Malaysia, city dwellers are finding ways to cope with the polluted air despite the occasional drizzle. From wearing face masks to investing in air purifiers, residents are taking steps to protect their health amid the poor air quality. Jaslin Ibrahim, a 39-year-old mother of two from Kuala Lumpur, has had to put her outdoor plans on hold due to the haze. With the persistent haze over the past week, she has opted to keep her family indoors to safeguard their health. 'Usually, I bring my newborn out for a walk to get some fresh air. But the haze hasn't let up, so we've been staying inside,' she said. Despite the occasional drizzle, which briefly clears the air, the haze would return, prompting Jaslin to purchase an air purifier for her home. 'This is the least I can do to ensure my children breathe cleaner air at home,' she added. Daphne Lim, 26, prefers to stay at home with all windows shut. She said that if she needed to leave the house, a face mask would be necessary. 'I would wear a face mask when going out or prefer driving instead of walking to avoid the polluted air,' said the executive, who lives in Cheras. For p-hailing rider Zamir Jailani, 28, he would frequently wear his face mask during his delivery rounds. 'Some days, the air seems okay, but other times it's quite bad, especially at noon when the scorching heat from the sun worsens the situation,' said Zamir, who lives in Petaling Jaya. A stall owner, who wants to be known as Lee, has also resorted to wearing a face mask while working outdoors. 'I spend a lot of time outside selling food by the roadside. 'The exhaust from vehicles is already bad but now with the haze, I need to be more cautious about my health,' said Lee, who is in her 50s and lives in Petaling Jaya. Meanwhile, one area in Sarawak and another in the peninsula recorded unhealthy air quality levels while 60 other areas experienced moderate conditions yesterday. According to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), as of 12.33pm, Miri registered the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 131, followed by Cheras at 118. On Saturday, Johan Setia in Selangor and Kuching in Sarawak recorded unhealthy API readings of 151 and 116, respectively. However, the air quality has since improved to 83 and 79. Sixty monitoring stations across Selangor, Perak, Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Sarawak, Putrajaya, Sabah, Pahang, Terengganu, Johor, Labuan, Penang, Melaka, Kedah and Kelantan reported moderate air quality. Among the locations, Petaling Jaya recorded the highest API at 87 while Sandakan in Sabah and Kota Tinggi, Johor, registered the lowest at 51. Six areas recorded good air quality yesterday, namely Balik Pulau (Penang), Kemaman (Terengganu), Langkawi (Kedah), Tanah Merah (Kelantan), Kangar (Perlis) and Pengerang (Johor). The API scale classifies air quality as follows: 0 to 50 (good), 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and above 300 (hazardous). The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), meanwhile, reported that dry conditions continue to affect the southern Asean region, raising concerns of potential transboundary haze, especially from Indonesia. According to the latest update released at 10.32am yesterday, isolated showers were observed overnight in parts of central and southern Sumatra as well as central and northeastern Borneo. However, much of the region remained dry. Satellite imagery detected isolated to scattered hotspots in Sumatra and Borneo, with slight localised smoke plumes seen in western Kalimantan and central Sumatra. Cloud cover limited full visibility of the region's hotspot and haze conditions. In contrast, the northern Asean region experienced wet and cloudy weather, keeping hotspot activity low, aided by prevailing southwest winds. Dry conditions are forecast to persist over much of southern Asean, though some showers are expected in parts of Sumatra, Java and Kalimantan. While rainfall may temporarily ease the situation, hotspots and smoke haze are still likely to occur in drier areas. Prevailing winds in the southern region are expected to blow from the southeast to south, which may contribute to the spread of transboundary haze to neighbouring countries.
The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
City folk turn to masks and air purifiers
Residents try their best to counter effects from haze PETALING JAYA: As the haze continues to blanket some parts of Malaysia, city dwellers are finding ways to cope with the polluted air despite the occasional drizzle. From wearing face masks to investing in air purifiers, residents are taking steps to protect their health amid the poor air quality. Jaslin Ibrahim, a 39-year-old mother of two from Kuala Lumpur, has had to put her outdoor plans on hold due to the haze. With the persistent haze over the past week, she has opted to keep her family indoors to safeguard their health. 'Usually, I bring my newborn out for a walk to get some fresh air. But the haze hasn't let up, so we've been staying inside,' she said. Despite the occasional drizzle, which briefly clears the air, the haze would return, prompting Jaslin to purchase an air purifier for her home. 'This is the least I can do to ensure my children breathe cleaner air at home,' she added. Daphne Lim, 26, prefers to stay at home with all windows shut. She said that if she needed to leave the house, a face mask would be necessary. 'I would wear a face mask when going out or prefer driving instead of walking to avoid the polluted air,' said the executive, who lives in Cheras. For p-hailing rider Zamir Jailani, 28, he would frequently wear his face mask during his delivery rounds. 'Some days, the air seems okay, but other times it's quite bad, especially at noon when the scorching heat from the sun worsens the situation,' said Zamir, who lives in Petaling Jaya. A stall owner, who wants to be known as Lee, has also resorted to wearing a face mask while working outdoors. 'I spend a lot of time outside selling food by the roadside. 'The exhaust from vehicles is already bad but now with the haze, I need to be more cautious about my health,' said Lee, who is in her 50s and lives in Petaling Jaya. Meanwhile, one area in Sarawak and another in the peninsula recorded unhealthy air quality levels while 60 other areas experienced moderate conditions yesterday. According to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), as of 12.33pm, Miri registered the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 131, followed by Cheras at 118. On Saturday, Johan Setia in Selangor and Kuching in Sarawak recorded unhealthy API readings of 151 and 116, respectively. However, the air quality has since improved to 83 and 79. Sixty monitoring stations across Selangor, Perak, Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Sarawak, Putrajaya, Sabah, Pahang, Terengganu, Johor, Labuan, Penang, Melaka, Kedah and Kelantan reported moderate air quality. Among the locations, Petaling Jaya recorded the highest API at 87 while Sandakan in Sabah and Kota Tinggi, Johor, registered the lowest at 51. Six areas recorded good air quality yesterday, namely Balik Pulau (Penang), Kemaman (Terengganu), Langkawi (Kedah), Tanah Merah (Kelantan), Kangar (Perlis) and Pengerang (Johor). The API scale classifies air quality as follows: 0 to 50 (good), 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and above 300 (hazardous). The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), meanwhile, reported that dry conditions continue to affect the southern Asean region, raising concerns of potential transboundary haze, especially from Indonesia. According to the latest update released at 10.32am yesterday, isolated showers were observed overnight in parts of central and southern Sumatra as well as central and northeastern Borneo. However, much of the region remained dry. Satellite imagery detected isolated to scattered hotspots in Sumatra and Borneo, with slight localised smoke plumes seen in western Kalimantan and central Sumatra. Cloud cover limited full visibility of the region's hotspot and haze conditions. In contrast, the northern Asean region experienced wet and cloudy weather, keeping hotspot activity low, aided by prevailing southwest winds. Dry conditions are forecast to persist over much of southern Asean, though some showers are expected in parts of Sumatra, Java and Kalimantan. While rainfall may temporarily ease the situation, hotspots and smoke haze are still likely to occur in drier areas. Prevailing winds in the southern region are expected to blow from the southeast to south, which may contribute to the spread of transboundary haze to neighbouring countries.
