Unhealthy air quality has been recorded in more areas in the country as the haze situation deteriorated today.

The areas which recorded the latest Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeding 100 have risen from 11 yesterday to 15 as at 11am today, a Department of Environment spokesperson told malaysiakini .

(The department's website, detailing API readings on a daily basis, has been experiencing technical problems since this morning.)

The four new 'unhealthy' areas are all in the peninsula - Kuala Selangor (111), Muar (110), Seri Manjung (107) and Bandar Raya Melaka (101).

However, the API in Petra Jaya, Sarawak - which was worse hit yesterday and recorded an 'unhealthy' level' - has dropped from 213 to 177 this morning.

Other areas remaining on the 'unhealthy' list are Sri Aman (178), Samarahan (174), Kuching (167), Sibu (163), Nilai (116), Kapit (110), Bukit Rambai (108), Seremban (105) and Bintulu (103).

The readings in these 15 areas however dropped marginally at 5pm but they remained at a 'very unhealthy level', except for Seri Manjung which recorded 94. ( see chart )

Putrajaya hits unhealthy mark

Topping the list is still Sarikei in Sarawak, from 156 yesterday to 195 this morning, and down to 178.

In the Klang Valley, the situation has also worsened with Putrajaya hitting the unhealthy level in the evening. The API for Putrajaya stood at 102 at 5pm today.

The rest are of the readings in the evening are Kuala Lumpur (94, from 91), Shah Alam (97, from 94), Kajang (96, from 90), Port Klang (88, from 86) and Petaling Jaya (87, from 85). Such readings are considered 'moderate'.

Overall, 33 areas recorded moderate API readings while three areas fall under the category of 'good'.

API readings range from 0-50 (good), 51-100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy) and 201-300 (very unhealthy). A reading above 300 is considered hazardous to human health.

The API readings are reviewed twice a day at 11am and 5pm.

Gov't continues to give info

Meanwhile, Health Ministry director-general Dr Ismail Merican advised those who are asthmatic or suffering from lung diseases to avoid going out.

"The level is quite high now. Those who are asthmatic, if they need to go out, must wear mask and bring along their inhaler.

"For those with lung diseases, if possible just stay indoor," Ismail said when contacted today.

Commenting on concerns expressed about lacking government information and advice to the public, Ismail said the Health Ministry will continue to disseminate information through the media and all government clinics and hospitals.

The Meteorological Services Department has reportedly said that the current haze was due to transitioning weather, from the current inter-monsoon season to North-East monsoon.

As a result, Malaysia is having intermittent haze due to inconsistent wind patterns moving from Sumatra to Malaysia.

However, the department has predicted that the current haze will only be 'temporary'.

A state of emergency was declared on Aug 10 last year after API readings in some areas exceeded 500, resulting in the closure of Port Klang.