Twenty Malaysian areas hit unhealthy air pollution levels

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 — Twenty areas nationwide were grappling with unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of Monday afternoon, with Johan Setia in Selangor emerging as the most severely affected location.

The Selangor district registered an API level of 166, classified as unhealthy and requiring immediate attention from residents and authorities. API readings of 100-200 typically trigger health advisories, particularly for vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions.

The widespread air quality deterioration across multiple states underscores growing concerns about air pollution during the period. Authorities have typically advised residents in affected areas to limit outdoor activities, wear protective masks, and monitor official updates from the Department of Environment.

While the specific causes of the pollution spike were not immediately disclosed, transboundary haze and local emission sources are commonly cited factors affecting air quality in the region during certain times of the year. The Department of Environment continues to monitor API levels hourly across monitoring stations nationwide to provide real-time air quality information to the public.