Minden air quality hits unhealthy level as API rises to 142, says Penang exco

The Air Pollutant Index in parts of Penang reached 142, indicating unhealthy air quality, while other areas recorded moderate readings.

Rising hotspot numbers in Sumatra and Kalimantan suggest increased fire activity, but wind and weather conditions also affect Penang's air quality.

Residents are advised to avoid outdoor activities, open burning, and should use face masks if conditions worsen, while monitoring official air quality updates.

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.

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槟城部分地区的空气污染指数达到 142，表明空气质量不健康，而其他地区的读数则处于中等水平。

苏门答腊和加里曼丹的热点数量不断上升，表明火灾活动加剧，但风和天气状况也会影响槟城的空气质量。

建议居民避免户外活动、露天焚烧，如果情况恶化，应佩戴口罩，同时密切关注官方空气质量更新信息。

乔治市，9月7日讯——今天槟城岛部分地区的空气质量达到不健康水平，下午3点空气污染指数（API）读数攀升至142。

槟城房屋及环境委员会主席拿督斯里孙达拉朱·索姆表示，岛上的明登空气质量监测站从上午9点开始记录到不健康的读数。

“读数持续上升，下午3点达到142，”他今天在一份声明中说。

他说，该站全天记录的读数在 82 到 142 之间。

与此同时，威省、威省和浮罗山背的监测站记录的读数在 55 至 91 之间。

槟城四个监测站中，只有明登站记录到空气质量不健康。

Sundarajoo表示，9月4日至6日期间，槟城的空气质量总体上保持在良好至中等水平。

他表示，东盟专业气象中心提供的初步信息显示，在此期间，苏门答腊记录到 737 个热点，加里曼丹记录到 540 个热点。

马来西亚多个州也发现了热点地区。

他说：“苏门答腊和加里曼丹热点地区的增加表明该地区火灾活动更加严重。”

然而，Sundarajoo表示，仅凭热点数量无法确定槟城的空气质量。

他表示，对该州的影响取决于风向和风速、大气条件和降雨分布等因素。

他说：“在监测期间，间歇性降雨帮助槟城保持了良好至中等的空气质量。”

PM₁₀ 被确定为主要污染物，尽管其浓度仍处于中等水平。

他建议公众通过环境部的空气污染物指数管理系统（APIMS）监测各自地区的官方API读数。

他还敦促公众不要轻信未经证实的信息或社交媒体帖子。

他建议公众避免露天焚烧，包括焚烧垃圾、枯叶和农业废弃物，并立即举报此类行为。

如果 API 读数升高，儿童、老年人和患有呼吸系统疾病的人应减少剧烈的户外活动。

如果空气质量恶化，公众也应该减少户外活动时间，关闭门窗，并佩戴合适的口罩。

Sundarajoo表示，公众应该避免加剧空气污染的活动，并减少不必要的车辆使用。

他鼓励居民使用公共交通工具、拼车或选择更可持续的出行方式。

他表示，环境部和其他相关机构将继续监测空气质量和区域热点地区。

联邦团结政府内部没有裂痕，希望联盟部长表示，巫统在州议会召开前缩小了与伊斯兰党的分歧。

雪兰莪州警方表示，对双威水上乐园事故的调查至少需要三个月，因为他们正在等待技术报告。

希望联盟在巫统年度大会上没有席位，但伊斯兰党却受到热烈欢迎。

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