Tanjung Malim in Perak is the latest to experience unhealthy air quality, raising to 18 the number of such areas as at 1pm.

The portal of the Department of Environment stated the air pollutant index reading for Tanjung Malim at 106, up from 96 as at 8am.

The other areas with unhealthy API reading as at 1pm were Seremban (198); Banting, Selangor (164); Nilai, Negri Sembilan (160); Tawau, Sabah (159); Bukit Rambai, Malacca (158); City of Melaka (156); Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan (154).

Putrajaya (152); Port Klang, Selangor (144), Shah Alam (140); Muar, Johor (135); Petaling Jaya, Selangor (136); Larkin Lama, Johor (103); Pasir Gudang, Johor (102); Kemaman, Terengganu (103); Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur (164) and Cheras, Kuala Lumpur (131).

Twenty-five areas recorded moderate API readings, among them Kota Tinggi, Johor (78); Alor Setar (59), Langkawi, Kedah (54); Seberang Jaya 2, Perai, in Penang (84); Bintulu, Sarawak (78), Kuching (96); Kuala Selangor (92) and Kuala Terengganu (64).

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