SEREMBAN: Quarry operations and land clearing activity for a new industrial area in Nilai could have contributed to the unhealthy air quality seen here, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
The dry weather in recent days had further compounded the problem, he said.
“When I used the North-South Expressway a few days ago, I noticed there was a pall of dust in areas near Nilai where we have a few quarries operating.
“I believe this land clearing activity and the dry weather contributed to the slightly unhealthy air quality,” he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting at Wisma Negri.
As of noon yesterday, Seremban was the only place in the country to register a slightly unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API).
At 6am, the API reading was 103, increasing to 127 at noon.
An API below 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and beyond that is hazardous.
“I believe the dust will be cleared once it rains,” he said, adding that the authorities did not get any reports of fires.
Aminuddin also advised the people not to carry out open burning due to the dry weather.
