The areas around Universiti Sains Malaysia and Seberang Jaya 2, Perai in Penang recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) in the country at 168 amd 164 respectively at 9 am today.

According to the Department of Environment website, the two areas were among 12 other locations with unhealthy API.

The other areas were Kg Air Putih, Taiping (156); Alor Setar (152); Perai (144); Bakar Arang, Sg. Petani (143); Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Pegoh, Ipoh 140); Seri Manjung (134); and Langkawi (131).

Also experiencing API in the same category were Kangar (125); Jalan Tasek, Ipoh (116) and Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur (103).

Thirty one areas recorded moderate API reading and among them were Kuala Selangor and Malacca City with 99, followed by Bukit Rambai and Port Klang (97), Shah Alam (96); Putrajaya (94); Banting (93); Port Dickson and Tanah Merah (92).

An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy and above 300, hazardous.

Members of the public can refer to DOE portal at apims.doe.gov.my for the latest API reading.

Meanwhile, it ws reported that the air quality in Singapore remained at an unhealthy level today despite the gradual improvement yesterday.

As at 10am today, the 24-hour pollutant standard index (PSI) reading was 99 to 118, in the high-end of moderate and unhealthy ranges, and the three-hour PSI was 149, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA).

NEA said widespread haze is still persisting in parts of central and southern Sumatra.

It said some haze from Kalimantan is also observed to have spread to the sea areas south-east of Singapore.

For today, the prevailing winds are forecast to blow from the east or south-east.

- Bernama