TAWAU, June 23- Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S.Subramaniam advises residents in Muar and Ledang in Johor to follow all directives from the authorities following the declaration of a haze emergency for the two districts today.
He said the two districts were facing the worst haze crisis to date and as such it was important to follow the directives to mitigate health risks.
“I urge the people in the two districts to stay at home. Do not go out as it will be hazardous to your health.
“The air quality is affected by various toxic substances besides dust and particles, which if inhaled can cause difficulties particularly to those having respiratory problems,” he told reporters after attending an appreciation ceremony for Health Ministry staff involved in the Ops Daulat in Lahad Datu, here today.
Also present were Health Ministry seceretary-general Datuk Faridah Mohd Ali and Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Dr S.Subramaniam said the residents in the two disricts should only go out of their homes inly if there was an emergency and that those whose homes had air conditioners to put them on recyling mode.
He added that all government health facilities had been alerted to provide all necessary assistance in facing the haze disaster.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today declared a state of emergency due to haze for the districts of Muar and Ledang in Johor until such a time it is withdrawn.
The declaration was made following the haze situation, particularly in the two districts, exceeding 500 on the Air Pollutants Index (API) which is an emergency level.
Based on the API, a reading of between 0-50 is categorised as good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy), and 300 and above hazardous.
In 2005, Port Klang and Kuala Selangor were placed under haze emergency when the API in the two areas surged above 500, a level classified as hazardous to health.
– BERNAMA
