KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 — Air quality improved across Peninsular Malaysia this morning, with the number of areas recording unhealthy readings falling to eight by 8am, although much of the Klang Valley remained affected by haze.

Johan Setia in Selangor continued to record the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 156, according to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).

Shah Alam followed at 154, while Putrajaya and Klang each recorded 152. Cheras stood at 149.

In Negeri Sembilan, Nilai recorded an API reading of 153, followed by Seremban and Port Dickson, both at 122.

Petaling Jaya and Banting, which had previously recorded unhealthy air quality, improved to moderate levels at 99, just below the threshold for an unhealthy reading.

The rest of the country recorded moderate air quality, apart from six locations where readings were classified as good: Balik Pulau in Penang; Kota Kinabalu in Sabah; and Miri, Sibu, Sarikei and Limbang in Sarawak.

The latest figures mark an improvement from yesterday afternoon, when 20 areas nationwide were recording unhealthy air quality.

At 4.30pm yesterday, Johan Setia also had the country’s highest reading at 166, followed by Shah Alam at 164. Five areas in Selangor, two in Kuala Lumpur, as well as Putrajaya, were among those then recording unhealthy levels.

Conditions have also eased considerably since Monday, when 36 areas nationwide were in the unhealthy range by late afternoon, including large parts of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Melaka and Sarawak.

Under Malaysia’s API classification, readings of zero to 50 are considered good, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy and anything above 300 hazardous.