Haze Emergency On Kuala Selangor, Port Klang Lifted

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- The haze emergency imposed on Kuala Selangor and Port Klang two days ago, has been lifted Saturday after the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in both areas dropped below 500, the National Security Council (NSC) said.
NSC secretary Datuk Ab Hamid Othman said the withdrawal of the emergency status, was on the directive of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also National Operations Director.
"However, government agencies, the private sector and members of the public involved in dealing with the haze problem, should continue to intensify efforts to ensure the air quality continues to be at a satisfactory level," he said in a statement here.
The statement however did not did provide the current API readings in both areas.
As at 5pm Friday, the API level in Kuala Selangor fell to 228 from 527 while Port Klang dropped to 182 from 486 a day before.
The haze emergency was declared in both areas last Wednesday by the premier when the API readings surged above 500, a level that is classified as "hazardous" to health.
The API readings are categorised thus: 0-50 classified as good; 51-100 moderate; 101-200 unhealthy; 201-300 very unhealthy; and above this level is classified as hazardous.