KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 — Twenty areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 4.30 pm today, with Johan Setia in Selangor registering the highest level at 166.

According to the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal, four other areas in Selangor also recorded unhealthy air quality: Shah Alam (164), Klang (158), Petaling Jaya (155) and Banting (143).

Two monitoring stations in the capital recorded a similar trend, in Cheras (162) and Batu Muda (160), while Putrajaya registered 157.

In Johor, the affected areas were Pasir Gudang (164), Larkin (162), Kota Tinggi (155), Pengerang (152) and Kluang (110), while in Negeri Sembilan, they were Nilai (161) and Seremban (153).

Unhealthy readings were also recorded in Balok Baru and Indera Mahkota in Pahang, each at 156.

They were followed by Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu (154), Bandaraya Melaka, Melaka (125) and Kota Bharu, Kelantan (103).

Meanwhile, 45 areas nationwide recorded moderate API readings, while only three were at a good level.

API readings of zero to 50 are categorised as good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and above 300 (hazardous).  — Bernama