Air quality in Kanowit very unhealthy

KUCHING: Kanowit recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in Sarawak at 195 as of 10am today (Sept 18), placing the area near the very unhealthy threshold.

According to data from the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), Kuching recorded the second-highest reading at 190, followed by Samarahan (181) and Serian (176), all classified as unhealthy.

Other areas in the unhealthy category were Betong at 166, Lundu (164), Sibu (162), Tebedu (161), Sarikei (160), Bintulu (155), Sri Aman (153), Mukah (148) and Lubok Antu (101).

Meanwhile, Kapit recorded an API reading of 98, Samalaju (92), Miri (66), Industrial Training Institute (ILP) Miri (61), Lawas (55) and Limbang (53), all within the moderate category.

Bario was the only monitoring station recording good air quality, with an API reading of 42.

The NREB data showed that 13 of the state’s 20 monitoring stations recorded unhealthy API readings at the time of the update.

The readings represented a sharp deterioration from yesterday morning, when all monitoring stations across Sarawak recorded either good or moderate air quality.

Under the API classification, readings between 101 and 200 are categorised as unhealthy, while those between 51 and 100 are considered moderate.

The API is calculated based on a 24-hour running average of the most dominant pollutant parameter, according to the NREB.

Residents, particularly children, the elderly and those with respiratory or heart conditions, are advised to monitor the latest API readings and limit prolonged outdoor activities when air quality deteriorates.