A motorcyclist seen riding along Jalan Sri Aman-Lingga in hazy condition yesterday morning. — Bernama photo
KUCHING: Interference in the data transmission from the Sri Aman Air Pollutant Index (API) monitoring station to the Department of Environment’s (DoE) Environmental Data Centre (EDC) was the cause of inaccurate readings on Tuesday, according to a source within the department.
The source told The Borneo Post yesterday that the interference had caused the real data to be transmitted later by a few hours.
“The API readings are updated automatically every hour, but due to some interference in the data transmission from the Sri Aman station to the EDC, the real data was transmitted later by a few hours.
“However, we managed to overcome the issue by inputting the data and tabulating the true API reading,” the source said.
On Tuesday, a check of the API readings in Sri Aman via the DoE’s MyIPU app showed the hourly recordings from 2pm to 6pm were 377, 386, 397, 407 and 416, respectively.
However, a second check later in the day found the readings from the same app had changed to 371 (2pm), 374 (3pm), 377 (4pm), 379 (5pm) and 389 (6pm).
The source also explained the reason why an API reading at times does not reflect the current situation of haze in a particular area.
“PM2.5 (atmospheric particulate matter) is the dominant pollutant during haze, and sometimes the readings do not reflect the current situation of an area because the average concentration for PM2.5 before transforming it into an index is 24 hours.
“This means that there needs to be 24 concentration readings for the PM2.5 pollutant to get the sub index and the reading will increase eventually when high concentration average increases every hour, which also increases the API value.”
The source added that PM2.5, which has a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres, was particularly dangerous because the particles could bypass the nose and throat, and penetrate deep into the lungs and in some cases, even enter the circulatory system.
“Children, older adults and those suffering from lung and/or heart diseases are especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of fine particles in the air and should take special precautions when ambient PM2.5 crosses unhealthy levels.
“Long-term exposure to PM2.5 may lead to plaque deposits in arteries, causing vascular inflammation and a hardening of the arteries which can eventually lead to heart attack and stroke.
“That is the main difference between PM2.5 and PM10. Despite the two having the same effect, PM2.5 can go even further into our body system, leading to various diseases. Therefore, it is important to measure the API using PM2.5.”
Meanwhile, the DoE’s MyIPU app showed both Kuching and Sri Aman as having very unhealthy air quality as of 6pm yesterday, with readings of 228 and 215 respectively.
Sri Aman’s reading of 228 was the highest in the state.
Other parts of the state recorded unhealthy air quality as of 6pm yesterday, with Samarahan at 188, Sibu (188), Sarikei (184), Mukah (157), Bintulu (135), Miri (133), ILP Miri (124) and Samalaju (113), while areas with moderate air quality were SK Kuala Baram (92), Limbang (86) and Kapit (81).
An API reading of zero to 50 denotes good air quality; 51 to 100 (moderate); 101 to 200 (unhealthy); 201 to 300 (very unhealthy); and 301 and above (hazardous).
The haze also saw 337 schools in the state – 56 secondary and 281 primary – ordered closed yesterday by the Education Ministry, affecting 138,384 students in Betong, Bau, Kuching, Lubok Antu, Padawan, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Lundu and Kanowit.