The air quality in most states continued to deteriorate this afternoon compared to this morning with the number of areas registering unhealthy Air Pollutants Index (API) readings increasing to 23.

As of 2pm, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang and Alor Setar, Kedah, were the lates areas with unhealthy API readings, at 102 and 101 respectively.

According to the Department of Environment (DOE) portal, the other 21 areas with unhealthy API readings are Port Klang (176); Shah Alam (154); Kuala Selangor (141); Petaling Jaya and Banting (each at 129); Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur (126); Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Pegoh, Ipoh (126); Tanjung Malim and Seri Manjung (both at 122).

Jalan Tasek, Ipoh (119); Jerantut (118); Tawau (117); Putrajaya and Bakar Arang, Sungai Petani (both 116); Kuala Terengganu (113); Port Dickson (111); Bukit Rambai (110); Cheras, Kuala Lumpur (109); Seberang Jaya 2, Perai (108); Seremban and Kampung Air Putih, Taiping (both 102).

Twenty-nine areas had API readings at the moderate level, among them Kemaman (100); Malacca City and Nilai (both 99); Kapit in Sarawak (98); Paka, Terengganu and Perai, Penang (both 91) and Samarahan (90), Sarawak.

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 300 and above, hazardous.

The public can access http://apims.doe.gov.my for updates.

- Bernama