The air quality continues to deteriorate with one more area, Malacca City, registering an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of unhealthy as of noon today.

According to the Department of Environment (DOE) portal, Melaka City recorded an API reading of 101 (unhealthy), Kuching (106) and Samarahan (112) in Sarawak.

Meanwhile, 34 areas recorded an API reading of moderate, including Bukit Rambai (98) in Malacca; Larkin Lama, Johor (77); Port Klang (82) and Banting (82) in Selangor as well as Putrajaya (83).

The API for Batu Muda and Cheras in Kuala Lumpur also rose from 66 at 9am to 70 and 91 respectively.

In 14 other areas, the API reading was good, including Alor Setar, Kedah (43); Kangar, Perlis (38); Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (27); Tanah Merah, Kelantan (21) and Labuan still at 19.

An API of between 0 to 50 is good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and 301 and above (dangerous).

The public can refer to the apims.doe.gov.my portal for the latest API readings.

- Bernama