Twelve areas in the west coast of the Malaysian Peninsular recorded unhealthy readings which exceeded 100 on the Air Pollutant Index (API) as at 9am today.

According to the Department of Environment's (DOE) website, the highest reading was recorded in Kedah, at Alor Setar (118), followed by Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur (113).

Bakar Arang, in Sungai Petani, Kedah, recorded an API of 105.

Unhealthy API readings were also recorded in Negeri Sembilan, at Nilai (105); in Perak at Kampung Air Putih, Taiping (104), SK Jalan Pegoh, Ipoh (104) and Seri Manjung (105); Kangar, Perlis (106); and Seberang Jaya 2, Perai in Penang (101).

In Selangor, the areas with unhealthy API reading included Banting (102), Port Klang (109) and Shah Alam (108).

Other areas in the country recorded API readings of good to moderate.

An API reading of between 0 and 50 is good; 51 and 100 (moderate); 101 and 200 (unhealthy); 201 and 300 (very unhealthy); and more than 301 (hazardous).

The public can refer to the DOE website at http://www.doe.gov.my for information on the API reading in their respective areas.