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Haze levels rising across Malaysia

Xinhua, August 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

More places across Malaysia witnessed rising air pollutant levels on Wednesday, as the Southwest Monsoon winds blows smoke coming from land and forest fires in Sumatra of Indonesia northward.

Figures from Malaysia's Department of Environment showed the readings of Air Pollutant Index (API) at port Kelang and Shah Alam reached more than 80 while several other places including Kuala Lumpur reached more than 70.

Malaysia measures its API mainly by particulate matter with diameter of less than 10 micron, or PM 10. An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality while 51 to 100 means moderate. A reading above 100 means unhealthy levels.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Petronas Twin Towers, the landmark building of Kuala Lumpur, was shrouded in a smoky haze.

Similar hazy days with unhealthy API levels were seen during the same period in recent years, prompting doctors to issue health alerts to people. A major source of the smoke was attributed to fires set in palm oil plantations in Indonesia.

Though efforts have been made to contain the problem, it is yet to be seen whether goals can be materialized. Earlier this month, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations adopted a roadmap which is expected to help ASEAN become a haze-free region by 2020.

Madius Tangau, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, expected hazy weather to continue till the end of the week in Malaysia due to dry atmospheric conditions, according to a Wednesday report of the Star. Endit