APIMS

Air Pollution Index is calculated based on 24 hours data retrieved from the Air Quality Monitoring Network throughout the country and updated hourly. Data retrieval process will need a complete cycle of one (1) hour before API readings can be obtained.

** = particulate matter with diameter of less than 2.5 micron (PM_2.5)

* = particulate matter with diameter of less than 10 micron (PM₁₀)

a = sulphur dioxide (SO₂)

b = nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)

c = ozone (O₃)

d = carbon monoxide (CO)

& = more than one pollutant

Air Pollutant Index (API) is an indicator for the air quality status at any particular area. The API value is calculated based on average concentration of air pollutants namely SO₂, NO₂, CO, O₃, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀. The air pollutant with the highest concentration (dominant pollutant) will determine the API value. Normally, concentration of particulate matter , PM_2.5 is the highest among other pollutants and determines the API value.

Generally, the concentration of ground level ozone (O₃) is high in the late afternoon and it determines the API value in certain areas. Under the influence of sunlight, oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compaunds emitted from motor vehicles and industries react to form the ground level ozone.

The Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change had put in place several measures to address the haze issue including:

• Total Ban on Open Burning in Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Federal Territory of Putrajaya and Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur was issued by the Director General on 13 March 2014 and in Selangor on 10 March 2014 with immediate effect until further notice. The directives , however, does not involve cremations, burning for religion purposes, grills and barbeques and gas flaring;

• Continuous air quality monitoring to detect changes in air quality status through 65 continuous air quality monitoring station and 3 mobile air quality monitoring units.

• Activating the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prevent open burning and peatland fires starting 4 February 2014, as well as to strengthen enforcement actions on smoky vehicles and emission from industries;

• Taking stern legal action against those carry out open burning at construction sites, industrial areas and plantations, whereas for small cases of open burning will be fined;

• Issuing orders to all local councils to monitor garbage dumping site/landfills under their jurisdiction to prevent open burning;

• Enhancing communication system at DOE operation rooms;

• Conducting ground and air surveillance to detect and monitor any fire outbreaks; and

• Close monitoring on preventive measures to tackle peat fires and daily checks are being conducted at sites.

What You Can Do To Stop Open Burning:

• Organic waste like food can be composted to produce fertilizer

• Ensure cigarette butt is not burning before throwing it

• Agriculture waste, tree off cuts and tree branches from farmyard and garden can be composted to produce fertilizer

• Wood scraps from construction site can be sold or recycled

• Practice recycling

• Report to the authorities on any open burning activities

Effects Of Open Burning:

• Air pollution due to increased particulate matter or dust, carbon dioxide and other pollutants

• Hazy environment

• Low visibility which could endanger road users, air crafts and ships

• Health problem (asthma, bronchitis, allergy, pneumonia, eye and skin irritation) especially to babies, children, old people and asthmatic patients

• Decline in the tourism industry which could give negative impact to the economy and foreign currency exchange

• Affect school children and if situation worsen, schools will have to be closed

• Decline in agricultural productivity

• Destroy forest and biodiversity

• Affect daily activities and the economy