All’s well with the air in the state — Permanent sec

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Dr Penguang Manggil

KUCHING: The Air Pollutant Index (API) for the state dipped below 50 yesterday, thanks to adequate rainfall in recent days.

Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Environment and Public Health Dr Penguang Manggil told a press conference that the state was fortunate because the weatherman had been predicting dry weather.

On haze, he said it was a transboundary phenomenon and there was only so much which the state could do.

The only thing the government could do to alleviate the problem of haze was to stop issuing open burning permits, but it (government) was helpless when the open burning took place across the border.

“We are very strict in issuing open burning permits. Once the air quality hits a certain level, we will suspend issuing such permits.”

As at yesterday, he said, the number of hot spots detected had diminished substantially.

As at 11am yesterday, the API readings, as published on the Department of Environment (DOE)’s website, for Kuching stood at 44, Samarahan (41), Bintulu (40), Sri Aman (39), Sibu (38), Sarikei (33), Kapit (29), and Miri (25).

There was no API reading for Miri and Limbang.

API reading of between 0-50 is categorised as good, 51-100 (moderate), 101-200 (not healthy), 201-300 (very unhealthy) and 301 and above (dangerous).