GEORGE TOWN, Sept 7 — Air quality in parts of Penang island reached an unhealthy level today, with its Air Pollutant Index (API) reading climbing to 142 at 3pm.
Penang housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu said the Minden air-quality monitoring station on the island began recording unhealthy readings at 9am.
“The reading continued to rise, reaching 142 at 3pm,” he said in a statement today.
He said the station recorded readings of between 82 and 142 throughout the day.
Meanwhile, monitoring stations in Seberang Perai, Seberang Jaya and Balik Pulau recorded moderate readings of between 55 and 91.
Minden was the only one of Penang’s four monitoring stations to record unhealthy air quality.
Sundarajoo said Penang’s air quality had generally remained at good to moderate levels between September 4 and 6.
He said preliminary information from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre showed that 737 hotspots were recorded in Sumatra and another 540 in Kalimantan during the period.
Hotspots were also detected in several Malaysian states.
“The increase in hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan indicates more significant fire activity in the region,” he said.
However, Sundarajoo said hotspot numbers alone could not determine Penang’s air quality.
He said the impact on the state depended on factors such as wind direction and speed, atmospheric conditions and rainfall distribution.
“Intermittent rain had helped keep Penang’s air quality within good to moderate levels during the monitoring period,” he said.
PM₁₀ was identified as the dominant pollutant, although its concentration remained at a moderate level.
He advised the public to monitor official API readings for their respective areas through the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
He also urged the public not to rely on unverified information or social media posts.
He advised the public to avoid open burning, including burning rubbish, dried leaves and agricultural waste, and to report such activities immediately.
Children, senior citizens and those with respiratory conditions should reduce strenuous outdoor activities if API readings rise.
The public should also reduce the time spent outdoors, keep doors and windows closed, and wear suitable face masks if air quality worsens.
Sundarajoo said the public should avoid activities that could worsen air pollution and reduce unnecessary vehicle use.
He encouraged residents to use public transport, carpool or choose more sustainable ways of travelling.
He said the Department of Environment and other relevant agencies will continue monitoring air quality and regional hotspots.
