Better API readings

A clearer view of KLCC on June 28, 2013.

There is an overall significant drop in the API in several states in Malaysia on June 28, 2013 after bouts of rain fell. Shah Alam which experienced hazardous is recorded to have only API 70 on June 28 while the rest of the states are reported to have less than API 100 but more than 50. Even though the API level has drop, the level is still under unhealthy.The view of KLCC has finally returned after covered by the haze in the past few days.

The clear view of Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway after the rain. 

Moreover, most northern states such as Penang and Perak reported to have not more than API 60 which are claimed to be under good situation. All the buildings can be seen clearly and irritation of eyes also reduced. The air quality in penang has improved. Schools and sports day are conducted again with the advantage of the clear skies in those states which reported under moderate or good condition. 

Muar with API 70

The picture above shows the clearer view of Muar after declared as the emergency zone on last week. However, the API reading of Muar is still under moderate, people still need to wear masks when conduct outdoor activities. 

However, Nilai and Port Klang are still experiencing API which more than 100. Hopefully the haze situation can be thinning in Nilai and Port Klang in the evening for the normal ferry activities to be conducted. 

Malaysia continued blanketed by haze

The scene in Muar which covered by haze on June 23, 2013

On June 23, 2013, Muar API has went as high as 750. Malaysia is said to be the worst levels of haze in 16 years and several parts of Malaysia had been declared as emergency status. This API reading has alarm the health of  the citizens in Muar. The road and the building can be hardly seen. Moreover, people are also breathing smoky air which is harmful to the body. People need to be more caution when driving and conducting outdoor activities. 

The haze covered the city of Shah Alam on June 23, 2013 

Besides Muar which is declared as emergency zone, the air quality in Bukit Rambai and Malacca are also experiencing hazardous level with API more than 350 and 400. The buildings can hardly be seen in the photo. Besides the states mentioned above, other states in Malaysia are also reported to have API reading which more than 100.  Based on the API, reading which more than 100 is consider as unhealthy therefore, people need to wear masks before stepping out from their house to avoid inhale any harmful air. Moreover, the consumption of eye drop has also increase due to the irritation of eyes that caused by the haze.    

How is haze Monitored?

Malaysia’s haze readings are measured according to Air Pollutant Index (API) which different from those in Singapore which uses the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI). According to Teo (2013), both scales are developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

The five major pollutants measured in API are sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and ozone (Environmental Science 101, 2011). All these pollutants are harmful to human. The API reading is aimed to measure the level of these pollutants contained in the air. The ideal API reading is below 50 which is consider as good, healthy and safe for the people. When the API exceeds 100, the people are said to be in unhealthy situation. Therefore, the state is claimed to be hazardous when the API exceeds 300 and when the API exceeds 500, the state will be declared as emergency. Many parts of Malaysia had been declared as hazardous and emergency starting from June 16, 2013. The API readings helped the public to raises the awareness of the haze issue happening around us and take precaution from inhaling the harmful air.

Reference

Environmental Science 101. (2011). Air quality index. Retrieved from: http://www.trunitydemo2.net/env101template1/view/article/149935/

Teo, C. W. (2013). Malaysia’s worst haze in 16 years. Retrieved from: http://www.stasiareport.com/the-big-story/asia-report/malaysia/story/malaysias-worst-haze-16-years-20130624

Malaysia's worst haze in 16 years

Malaysia's capital of Kuala Lumpur on June 16, 2013

What is Haze?

Malaysia's capital of Kuala Lumpur is covered with haze on June 16, 2013 and reached the API 127 which considered as unhealthy. Port Klang's API even reached 144 while the township of Shah Alam reached 129.  These states are claimed to be in unhealthy situation. According to Malaysia Meteorological Department, MMD (2013), haze is caused by the absorption of sunlight by tiny particulates suspended in the atmosphere, resulting in diminished horizontal visibility thereby giving the atmosphere a characteristic opalescent appearance.

The particles that causes haze phenomenon can originate for many sources such as natural and some anthropogenic. Haze which caused by the natural sources is harmless to human whereas the haze which caused by anthropogenic is harmful for human. However, the main causes of Malaysia today’s haze was forest fires from neighboring Indonesia which consider as anthropogenic. Therefore the haze phenomenon has put the health of Malaysian in dangerous. The smoke was blow across Malacca Strait to Malaysia. Due to the dry season, the haze phenomenon is expected to worsen over the next two weeks. 

References

Malaysia Meteorological Department. (2013). Haze. Retrieved from:http://www.met.gov.my/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&d=70&Itemid=160&lang=english