The unhealthy air quality recorded in six areas throughout the country this morning dropped to four areas as at 3pm.

According to the portal of the Department of Environment (DOE), two areas recording lower Air Pollutant Index (API) readings were Sarikei and Malacca City, at 100 and 97 respectively.

Meanwhile, four areas still recording unhealthy API readings were Tawau, Sabah (120) and three areas in Sarawak namely Kuching (150), Sri Aman (127) and Samarahan (167).

Fourteen other areas recording good API readings were Alor Setar, Langkawi, SMK Tanjung Chat (Kota Baru), Tanah Merah, Kg. Air Putih (Taiping), Jalan Tasek (Ipoh), Seri Manjung, Tanjung Malim, Kangar, Perai, USM (Penang), Sandakan, Kuala Selangor and Kuala Terengganu, while 34 areas remained moderate.

API readings of 0-50 is categorised as good, 51-100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy), 201-300 (very unhealthy) and 301 and above (hazardous).

The public can visit the website at http://apims.doe.gov.my/v2/ to obtain the current API readings.

- Bernama