KUCHING: The air quality in Lubok Antu remains at the ‘Very Unhealthy’ level, with its Air Pollutant Index (API) reaching 205 as of 8am today.
According to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), the reading placed Lubok Antu in the 201–300 ‘Very Unhealthy’ category under the API classification.
The category indicates that air pollution at this level can worsen the health conditions of high-risk individuals, particularly those with heart and lung complications, while reducing their tolerance for physical activity.
Meanwhile, several other areas in Sarawak also recorded ‘Unhealthy’ API readings.
These included Tebedu at 174, Serian at 173, Sri Aman at 172, Betong (MCAQM) at 154 and Kuching at 132.
Other monitoring stations recorded ‘Moderate’ air quality, including Samarahan (98), Lundu (94), Sibu (83), Sarikei and Bintulu (75 each), Samalaju (73), Mukah and Miri (67 each), Lawas (60), ILP Miri (59), Limbang (55), and Kanowit (97).
Bario is the only station to record ‘Good’ air quality, with an API reading of 40.
NREB said the API is calculated based on the 24-hour running average of the most dominant pollutant parameter.
Under the API classification, readings of 0–50 are considered ‘Good’, 51–100 ‘Moderate’, 101–200 ‘Unhealthy’, 201–300 ‘Very Unhealthy’, 301–400 ‘Hazardous’, and 401–500 ‘Very Hazardous’.
Readings above 500 are also classified as ‘Very Hazardous’ and are considered hazardous to high-risk groups and public health.
