Air quality remained at the very unhealthy level in six areas in Perlis, Kedah and Penang as at 1pm due to the haze, according to the Department of Environment portal.

These places were Kangar (with the air pollutant index at 255) in Perlis, Alor Setar (250), Bakar Arang (268) and Langkawi (253) in Kedah and Seberang Jaya 2 (275) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (238) in Penang.

The API reading was at the unhealthy level in 24 areas, among them Tanah Merah (123) in Kelantan; Bukit Rambai (102) in Melaka; Balok Baru, Kuantan (110) in Pahang; Jalan Tasek (158) and Sekolah Kebangsaan Pegoh, Ipoh (176) and Seri Manjung (175) in Perak; Perai (196) in Penang, Tawau (109) in Sabah.

Kuching (122) and Samarahan (128) in Sarawak; Banting (113), Kuala Selangor (153), Port Klang (158), Petaling Jaya (108) and Shah Alam (132) in Selangor; Kuala Terengganu (105); Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur (105) and Putrajaya (108).

Twenty-one areas had a moderate API reading while only Labuan had a good API reading.

API readings of 0-50 indicate good air quality, 51-100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy) 201-300 (very unhealthy), and 300 and above (hazardous).

Then public can visit http://apims.doe.gov.my to know the API readings in their respective areas.

- Bernama