KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — The number of places with unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings has increased to 17 this afternoon from only six earlier.

The number of affected states also increased from four to five this afternoon.

According to the Department of Environment website, so far the highest API reading was recorded in Samarahan (184), Sri Aman (177) and Kuching (164) in Sarawak and Nilai (135) in Negeri Sembilan.

Tanjung Malim, Perak, recorded the most drastic increase in reading, from good (31) to unhealthy (125).

Other areas which showed an increase in reading are Bandar Melaka (86 to 103), Bukit Rambai (93 to 114) in Melaka; Port Dickson (81 to 105), Seremban (98 to 123) in Negeri Sembilan; Banting (82 to 110), Port Klang (81 to 107), Petaling Jaya (84 to 110), Shah Alam (80 to 107) in Selangor; Batu Muda (92 to 114) in Kuala Lumpur; and Putrajaya (80 to 103).

Meanwhile, 29 other locations recorded a moderate API reading, while only six had a good API reading.

The API between 0 and 50 is good, 51 and 100 (moderate), 101 and 200 (unhealthy), 201 and 300 (very unhealthy) and 300 and above (dangerous).

The public can refer to the http://apims.doe.gov.my portal for current API readings in their areas. — Bernama