The haze enveloping the Klang Valley, the northern states in the peninsula, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan, is caused by trans-border smoke pollution from the fires in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said today the Air Pollutant Index readings recorded by the Department of Environment until 11am today showed 22 stations with 44 percent good API readings and 28 stations with 56 percent moderate air quality readings.

According to the DOE website, five areas with the lowest API readings this morning were Bintulu, Sarawak (17), Langkawi, Kedah (18), Miri, Sarawak (20), Limbang, Sarawak (23) and Kangar, Perlis (23).

The API reading of between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51-100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy), 201-300 (very unhealthy) and 301 and above (hazardous).

"No station has recorded API reading of above 100 (unhealthy air)," Liow said in a statement.

Tips on reducing effects of the haze

He advised members of the public to help lessen the effects of the haze by taking measures such as spending more time indoors.

"Reduce physical activities outside the home, drink lots of water, reduce sources of pollution like cigarette smoking, use the air conditioner in recirculation mode when driving, and keep your hands and face clean," he said.

For information on measures to reduce the effects of the haze on health, visit http://www.infosihat.gov.my , while for the latest API readings, visit http://doe.gov.my/apims .

Meanwhile, Singapore has recorded a worsening haze situation, with the 24-hour PSI reading being 69 at 7pm today, the highest so far this year.

However the republic’s National Environment Agency (NEA) said this remaind within the moderate range.

The worst hit were the northern and western parts of Singapore, while eastern Singapore remained within the good range, with a reading of 48.

   

- Bernama