The number of areas recording moderate Air Pollutant Index (API) declined to 12 at 6pm today compared with 16 at noon.

According to the Department of Environment (DOE), the areas still recording API that exceeded 50 were Alor Setar (51), Bakar Arang; Sungai Petani (53), Bukit Rambai (51), Nilai (56), Seremban (54), Balok Baru; Kuantan (83) and Kangar (54).

Other areas were Perai (52), Industrial Training Institute (ILP) Miri (51), Banting (53), Kemaman (51) and Paka (82).

An API reading of between zero and 50 indicates good air quality; between 51 and 100, moderate; between 101 and 200, unhealthy; between 201 and 300, very unhealthy and over 301, hazardous.

The public can refer to the portal, http://www.doe.gov.my , to learn of the API for their areas.

- Bernama