No change in Miri as API readings remain hazardous

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- The air quality in Miri, Sarawak continued to be at hazardous and very unhealthy levels today, recording an Air Pollutant Index reading of 361 and 268 at the Industrial Training Institute (ILP) and Kuala Baram air monitoring stations respectively.

The Environment Department (DOE), in a statement today, said the hazardous and unhealthy air hovering over Miri was caused by ongoing peat fires located close to air monitoring stations. 

The department said the API was also at a very unhealthy level in Sri Aman (239), caused by several peat fires in the area, and made worse by transboundary haze from the forest fires in Kalimantan in Indonesia. 

Transboundary haze have caused an increase in API readings in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and also western Sarawak, adding that these episodes have contributed to the country's air quality status to drop to moderate level, the department said. 

The DOE said one air monitoring station recorded good air quality today, while 63 other stations recorded moderate levels. 

The department was also stepping up enforcement and daily patrols at areas potentially susceptible to open burning.  

--BERNAMA