GEORGE TOWN, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- The weather conditions influenced by intermittent rain have helped maintain the air quality in Penang at a good to moderate level, based on the current monitoring by the state Department of Environment (DOE).
Penang Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said the Particulate Matter 10 (PM₁₀) was also identified as the dominant pollutant during the monitoring period, but its concentration remained at a moderate level.
He said the air quality in Penang is generally still at a moderate level, but the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at the Minden Station increased to the unhealthy category this afternoon.
"The monitoring trend today until 3 pm shows that Minden Station recorded an API reading of between 82 and 142, while three other automatic air quality monitoring stations in the state, namely Seberang Perai Station, Seberang Jaya Station and Balik Pulau Station, each recorded readings of between 55 and 91.
"All three stations are still in the moderate category, while only Minden Station recorded readings in the unhealthy category," he said in a statement today.
Sundarajoo said preliminary information from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) for the period from Sept 4 to 6 recorded 737 hotspots in Sumatra and 540 hotspots in Kalimantan, in addition to hotspots detected in several states in Malaysia.
"The increase in hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan indicates more significant fire activity in the region; however, the number of hotspots cannot be the sole indicator to determine the air quality level in Penang.
"The impact on the air quality of Penang depends on meteorological conditions, particularly wind direction and speed, atmospheric conditions and rainfall distribution," he said.
In this regard, he urged the public to always refer to the latest API readings through the official Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) and not rely on unverified information from social media.
Sundarajoo also advised the public to avoid open burning and reduce heavy physical activities outdoors if the API reading increases, especially for children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory issues.
-- BERNAMA