Air quality in Cheras and Port Klang unhealthy

Giam Say Khoon

PETALING JAYA (june 12, 2009) : The air quality in Cheras and Port Klang hit unhealthy levels today with the Air Pollution Index (API) reading breaching the 100 point (unhealthy) mark to hit 107 in Cheras and 138 in Port Klang as of 11am.

The Department of Environment (DOE) said the high API at the two places was caused by fine dust particles while the reading at 18 other places were still within the good range, which the API reading was lower than 51.

However, 30 places in the country were recorded within moderate range, which the reading was between 51 and 100.

Meanwhile the Malaysia Meteorological Department reported that the visibility in Subang, Petaling Jaya and Sepang had dropped from 5km to 4km.

The DOE said the deterioration of air quality in the Klang Valley today was caused by burning of land in Shah Alam and Kuala Langat, in Selangor and the disaster aid and management committee in Kuala Langat with the participation of the DOE, Fire and Rescue Department, Irrigation and Drainage Department, Forestry Department, Land Office and Kuala Langat District Council, had been mobilised to monitor the situation.

The department had also recorded five hotspots in Selangor, three in Pahang, six in Sarawak and eight in Sabah as pictured by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre’s satellite.

“The public should not burn openly or do something that will cause open burning and they are urged to put out small fires if possible, or report the fires to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or the DOE hotline at 1-800-88-2727,” it said.

When contacted, DOE officials also advised the public to stay indoors as the air quality is unhealthy to human’s health and to wear masks when necessary.

Visit www.doe.gov.my for latest update on the API.

Source: The Sun Daily