Haze: DOE urges public to refer to official API readings amid differences across platforms

KUCHING, Oct 9 — The Department of Environment (DoE) has urged the public to refer to its Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) for official air pollutant index (API) readings amid differences in figures displayed by other platforms.

In a media statement issued on Oct 8, DoE said the official readings could also be accessed through the MyJAS EQMS application, with APIMS updated hourly.

The department said differences between Malaysia’s API readings and those displayed by independent websites or applications did not necessarily indicate a contradiction or that pollution levels had been understated.

It explained that such differences could arise from variations in index scales, calculation methods, thresholds, averaging periods, update times and data sources.

Some international platforms may use scales such as the United States Air Quality Index (US AQI), while others may rely on low-cost sensors, model estimates or satellite data.

DoE said satellite data measured particle concentrations in the atmosphere rather than directly measuring air quality at ground level, where people breathe. It also noted that satellite observations could sometimes mistake water vapour or clouds for haze.

The department said Malaysia’s API was calculated using sub-indices for six major air pollutants, namely ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, particulate matter smaller than 10 microns (PM10) and particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5).

These pollutants are monitored continuously to determine the official readings, with PM2.5 commonly being the dominant pollutant during haze episodes.

National air quality monitoring is conducted through DoE’s Environmental Quality Monitoring Programme, which involves 68 monitoring stations nationwide. The stations operate according to relevant international standards and certifications, including those of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and ISO.

The department also urged the public to refrain from open burning, particularly during hot and dry weather, and to ensure their land or premises are not accessed by irresponsible parties who could cause open burning.

Under the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2024, offences involving open burning can carry fines ranging from RM25,000 to RM1 million, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.

Members of the public can report fires or open burning incidents to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or DoE’s toll-free line at 1-800-88-2727. — The Borneo Post