KUCHING: Smokes from forest fires in the northern part of Sarawak had deteriorated air quality in Miri which reached a hazardous level as at 9pm on August 10, the State Health Department reported. Of its three stations in Miri, the Air Pollution Index (API) reading at Miri Industrial Training Institute (ILP) tipped the scales at a hazardous level, from 388 at noon to 395 as at 7pm yesterday.
However, readings at two monitoring stations dropped to moderate level, with the API in SK Kuala Baram 2 and Miri recording 84 and 96 respectively.
The API is categorised as ‘good’ from 0 to 50, ‘moderate’ (51 to 100), ‘unhealthy’ (101 to 200), ‘very unhealthy’ (201 to 300), and ‘hazardous’ (301 and above).
With over 600 hectares forest and peatland fires smoking up Kuala Baram, the public have been advised to cut down on outdoor physical activities. State Health Director Dr Jamilah Hashim said such activities would increase breathing and metabolism rates which would lead to haze- and hot weather-related illnesses. She also urged the people to wear face masks and use umbrellas as well as wear caps when outdoors.
“Close all house windows and keep the house clean as well as reduce indoor air pollution by not smoking,” she said in a statement here yesterday. Explaining that a prolonged haze would negatively impact people particularly high-risk groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women and heart patients, Dr Jamilah said people must drink a lot more water.
“Most of all, seek immediate treatment if you don’t feel well,” she added. Info pertaining to health precaution can be obtained at https://www.infosihat.gov. my/index.php/isu-semasa/51jerebu and http://www. myhealth.gov.my/cuaca.
