Port Klang sees unhealthy API readings for second day
UPDATED @ 10:36:56 PM 31-07-2012
PETALING JAYA, July 31 — Port Klang remains the only area in the country with an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) although the air quality has worsened in most parts of the Klang Valley, The Star Online reported this evening.
The Klang Valley, which recorded moderate air quality readings, showed a gradual increase in its API yesterday in most areas. As of 5pm yesterday, the API for Banting stood at 84, Cheras (80), Kuala Selangor (76), Petaling Jaya (73) and Batu Muda (73).
The 11am readings were 77, 73, 77, 67 and 65 respectively.
The Star said Port Klang recorded unhealthy air quality readings for the second day in a row although its API had improved from 122 yesterday evening to 109 as of 5pm today.
As of 5pm, 37 areas recorded moderate air quality readings compared to only 33 as of 5pm yesterday, according to information obtained by the news portal from the Department of Environment (DoE)’s website.
These included Seberang Jaya 2, Perai in Penang, which recorded an API of 82, Nilai (78), SK Jalan Pegoh, Ipoh (75), Bukit Rambai (75), Sungai Petani (75), Alor Setar (74), Taiping (73) and Pasir Gudang, Johor (73).
Several parts of the country such as Butterworth, Petaling Jaya and Kuantan experienced poor visibility levels of between two kilometres and five kilometres as of 3pm yesterday but registered readings of between seven kilometres and above 10km (normal visibility) by 8pm.
According to the Meteorological Department, most areas in country recorded normal or near normal visibility levels by 8pm except for several areas such as Alor Setar (6km), Batu Embun (8km), Langkawi (7km), and Prai (7km).
A good API reading is from 0-50, moderate 51-100, unhealthy 101-200, very unhealthy 201-299 and hazardous 300 and above.
