THE air pollutant index (API) reading in Johan Setia, Klang, is still at an unhealthy level as of 7pm today, said the Department of Environment.

The district in Klang had recorded an API of 205 (very unhealthy) at 3pm today but it had dropped to 189 (unhealthy) by the time of the evening recording.

This morning, three schools – SK Johan Setia, SK Jalan Kebun and SMK Jalan Kebun – in Johan Setia were ordered closed when the API reading exceeded 200, confirmed by the Selangor Education Department.

For schools in areas with API readings exceeding 200, it said, closure orders will be issued as per the Education Ministry circular No. 1/2019.

“If the API reading drops below 200, the schools will be reopened. The schools’ administration must be up to date on the readings and act according to the circular,” state education deputy director Muhamad Radzi Abdullah said.

The number of adverse API readings nationwide have also dropped from 22 districts yesterday to 16 districts as of 7pm today.

Areas that continue to be affected in Kuala Lumpur are: Batu Muda with a API reading of 134, and Cheras (118); while in Selangor: Kuala Selangor (133), Petaling Jaya (119) and Shah Alam (124).

In Penang, the Balik Pulau API reading is 127, while in Perak it is 140; Tangkak in Johor (114), Jernautu, Pahang (116) and Sri Aman, Sarawak (149).

An API reading of 0-50 is good, 51-100 is moderate, 101-200 is unhealthy, 201-300 is very unhealthy, and 300 and above is hazardous. – September 12, 2019.