Haze: DOE urges public to refer to official API readings amid differences across platforms

The Department of Environment advises the public to rely on its Air Pollutant Index Management System for official API readings due to discrepancies with other platforms.

Differences in API readings can result from variations in index scales, methods, and data sources, not necessarily indicating misleading pollution levels.

The public is cautioned against open burning, as offences can lead to severe fines or imprisonment under the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2024.

KUCHING, Oct 9 — The Department of Environment (DoE) has urged the public to refer to its Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) for official air pollutant index (API) readings amid differences in figures displayed by other platforms.

In a media statement issued on Oct 8, DoE said the official readings could also be accessed through the MyJAS EQMS application, with APIMS updated hourly.

The department said differences between Malaysia’s API readings and those displayed by independent websites or applications did not necessarily indicate a contradiction or that pollution levels had been understated.

It explained that such differences could arise from variations in index scales, calculation methods, thresholds, averaging periods, update times and data sources.

Some international platforms may use scales such as the United States Air Quality Index (US AQI), while others may rely on low-cost sensors, model estimates or satellite data.

DoE said satellite data measured particle concentrations in the atmosphere rather than directly measuring air quality at ground level, where people breathe. It also noted that satellite observations could sometimes mistake water vapour or clouds for haze.

The department said Malaysia’s API was calculated using sub-indices for six major air pollutants, namely ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, particulate matter smaller than 10 microns (PM10) and particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5).

These pollutants are monitored continuously to determine the official readings, with PM2.5 commonly being the dominant pollutant during haze episodes.

National air quality monitoring is conducted through DoE’s Environmental Quality Monitoring Programme, which involves 68 monitoring stations nationwide. The stations operate according to relevant international standards and certifications, including those of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and ISO.

The department also urged the public to refrain from open burning, particularly during hot and dry weather, and to ensure their land or premises are not accessed by irresponsible parties who could cause open burning.

Under the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2024, offences involving open burning can carry fines ranging from RM25,000 to RM1 million, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.

Members of the public can report fires or open burning incidents to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or DoE’s toll-free line at 1-800-88-2727. — The Borneo Post

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由于与其他平台的数据存在差异，环境部建议公众以该部门的空气污染指数管理系统提供的官方API读数为准。

API读数的差异可能是由于指数尺度、方法和数据来源的差异造成的，并不一定表明污染程度存在误导。

公众被警告不要进行露天焚烧，因为根据 2024 年环境质量（修正）法案，违法行为可能导致巨额罚款或监禁。

古晋，10月9日讯——鉴于其他平台显示的数据存在差异，环境部敦促公众参考其空气污染指数管理系统（APIMS）获取官方空气污染指数（API）读数。

美国能源部在 10 月 8 日发布的一份媒体声明中表示，也可以通过 MyJAS EQMS 应用程序访问官方读数，APIMS 每小时更新一次。

该部门表示，马来西亚API读数与独立网站或应用程序显示的读数之间的差异并不一定表明存在矛盾，或者污染水平被低估了。

它解释说，这种差异可能是由于指数尺度、计算方法、阈值、平均周期、更新时间和数据来源的变化造成的。

一些国际平台可能会使用美国空气质量指数（US AQI）等指标，而另一些平台可能会依赖低成本传感器、模型估算或卫星数据。

美国能源部表示，卫星数据测量的是大气中的颗粒物浓度，而不是直接测量人们呼吸的地面空气质量。能源部还指出，卫星观测有时会将水蒸气或云误判为雾霾。

该部门表示，马来西亚的空气污染指数 (API) 是使用六种主要空气污染物的子指数计算得出的，即地面臭氧、一氧化碳、二氧化氮、二氧化硫、小于 10 微米的颗粒物 (PM10) 和小于 2.5 微米的颗粒物 (PM2.5)。

这些污染物会持续受到监测，以确定官方读数，其中 PM2.5 通常是雾霾期间的主要污染物。

全国空气质量监测由美国能源部环境质量监测计划负责，该计划在全国设有68个监测站。这些监测站按照相关的国际标准和认证运行，包括美国环境保护署和国际标准化组织（ISO）的标准和认证。

该部门还敦促公众避免露天焚烧，尤其是在炎热干燥的天气里，并确保他们的土地或房屋不会被不负责任的人进入，以免发生露天焚烧事件。

根据 2024 年《环境质量（修正）法》，涉及露天焚烧的违法行为可处以 25,000 至 100 万令吉的罚款、最高五年的监禁，或两者并罚。

公众可拨打999向消防救援部门或能源部免费热线1-800-88-2727报告火灾或露天焚烧事件。——《婆罗洲邮报》

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