Twenty areas still recorded air quality at the unhealthy level under the Air Pollution Index (API) as at 10pm last night, with Shah Alam in Selangor still recording the highest reading of 156, compared to 177 at 7pm.

According to the Department of Environment (DOE), the other areas which also recorded an unhealthy APIs were Port Klang (155), Batu Muda (154), Petaling Jaya (143), Putrajaya (142), Samarahan (138), Cheras (135), Tanjung Malim, Sri Aman and Banting (all 133), Kuala Selangor (126) and Seremban (124).

They were followed by Kuching (118), City of Melaka (114), Jerantut (113), SK Jalan Pegoh, Ipoh (111), Bukit Rambai and Port Dickson (both 110) and Seri Manjung (107) ,

Twenty-two areas remained in the moderate API cateogry, with Muar recording the highest reading with 88, followed by Pasir Gudang (83), Tawau (79) and Sarikei(76).

An API between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 (medium), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and 300 and above (hazardous).

Members of the public can refer to DOE's portal at http://apims.doe.gov.my/v2/ to find out the latest API readings.

Meanwhile, director-general of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah advised people to wash their hands and face with soap and water after attending outdoor activities and to install air conditioners and air filters at home if possible.

He said these were precautionary measures to reduce the adverse health impact of air pollution.

"People who experience signs and symptoms such as cough, cold, asthma, sore eyes and lung infection that is worsening should head to a clinic immediately to seek treatment," he said in a statement.

Noor Hisham said the public could also find out more about the preventive measures to reduce the adverse health impacts of haze via the website, www.infosihat.gov.my , or www.moh.gov.my (health information).

- Bernama