Lubok Antu only Sarawak area with very unhealthy API reading as of 4pm

KUCHING, Aug 27 — Lubok Antu was the only area in Sarawak to record a “very unhealthy” Air Pollutant Index (API) reading this afternoon, as haze continued to affect several parts of the state.

According to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak’s Daily Haze Watch, Lubok Antu recorded an API reading of 210 as of 4pm today, placing it in the very unhealthy category.

Four other areas — Samarahan, Sri Aman, Lundu and the Serian District Police Headquarters (IPD Serian) monitoring station — recorded unhealthy air quality, with readings ranging from 156 to 158.

Samarahan recorded the highest API reading among the four at 158, followed by Sri Aman at 157, while Lundu and IPD Serian each recorded 156.

The readings indicate that haze conditions remained particularly pronounced in parts of southern and eastern Sarawak, while air quality in Kuching and most other divisions remained at moderate levels.

Kuching recorded an API reading of 88 at 4pm, placing it in the moderate category.

Other areas with moderate readings were Sarikei (85), Bintulu (86), Samalaju (83), ILP Miri (77), Mukah and Miri (72 each), Sibu (70), Lawas (66), Kapit (65), Bario (60), Limbang (58) and Tebedu (95).

NREB classifies API readings of 101 to 200 as unhealthy, while readings between 201 and 300 are considered very unhealthy.

According to the board, very unhealthy air quality can aggravate existing health conditions and reduce tolerance for physical exercise among people with heart and lung complications, while also posing a wider risk to public health. — The Borneo Post