The air quality across the nation continued to deteriorate Monday with 17 areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as at 6am.

According to the Department of Environment (DOE), the highest API reading was recorded in Seremban at 167 followed by Tawau (165), Banting (153), Bandaraya Melaka (147) and Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur (137).

Other areas with unhealthy API readings were Bukit Rambai (145), Nilai and Port Dickson (143), Putrajaya (135), Port Klang (134), Shah Alam (129), Petaling Jaya (122) and Cheras (117).

Johor also saw several areas in the state recording unhealthy API readings; Larkin Lama (105), Muar (127) and Pasir Gudang (102).

24 areas recorded moderate air quality while nine others had API readings of below 50.

An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy and 300 and above, hazardous.

The public can refer to the DOE portal at http://apims.doe.gov.my to get the latest API readings.