Air quality in Kota Kinabalu

What is the air quality index of Kota Kinabalu?

Kota Kinabalu formerly known as Jesselton, is the state capital of Sabah, Malaysia. It is also the capital of the Kota Kinabalu District as well as the West Coast Division of Sabah. It is located on the northwest coast of Borneo facing the South China Sea. In 2010 the overall population of Kota Kinabalu and its environs was roughly 630,000 people.

In early 2021, Kota Kinabalu was enjoying a period of “Good” quality air with a US AQI figure of 34. This is in accordance with the recommendations of the Work Health Organisation (WHO). The recorded level of the pollutant PM2.5 was 8.1 µg/m³.

With low levels of pollution such as these, door and windows can be safely opened to allow fresh air to enter the home. All forms of outdoor activity can be safely enjoyed.

Is Kota Kinabalu a polluted city?

The quality of the air throughout the country can be said to be improving when no area recorded the reading of the Air Pollution Index (IPU) category as very unhealthy.

According to data on the Malaysian Air Pollution Index Management System (APIMS) website, five areas namely Tawau, Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu (Sabah); Limbang and Kapit (Sarawak) recorded good API readings below 50.

What are the main sources of air pollution in Kota Kinabalu?

One of the main sources of air pollution in Kota Kinabalu is smoke that is blown in from neighbouring areas, such as Indonesia. The haze produced is worse during the autumn months when the residue from the recently harvested crops are burnt in preparation for the new season’s planting. Other flammable debris can also find its way into the flames as a way of getting rid of unwanted garbage. Plastic bottles seem to be the worst item added to the crop fires but it is not uncommon to see tyres being disposed of in this way. These produce particularly noxious smoke.

Schools in the districts affected by the haze in Sabah can soon be closed if the situation worsens.

Vehicle and emissions from industry also contribute significantly to the local air pollution. Many vehicles in places such as this tend to be older vehicles that have been imported cheaply from other countries where they are now banned because of the age. Motorbikes are commonplace because of their convenience and their very low running costs.

How does air pollution in Kota Kinabalu affect the people?

Food traders at the local market comment that at such times when the haze is particularly bad, they can see fewer people shopping at the market. People obviously decide not to leave the house when the air quality is so poor.

A small boat operator said that the haze situation also affects the activity of bringing passengers from Sungai Tongkang to the mainland here. He said, usually the residents of Sebatik Island will go down to the mainland to spend, especially on weekends, but the number of passengers decreases when the air quality is poor.

Extra security measures have to be taken when the haze is present. Visibility is often compromised so great care has to be taken. The situation is often made worse by the lack of rain. Usually, as rain falls through the air, it collects and carries any suspended particles and deposits them on the ground. Due to the “wetness”, they seldom become airborne again.

The general public has access to all this data because it is published on a website for all to see.

What are the health implications of Kota Kinabalu’s polluted air?

The air around us consists of many gases and particles, each so small that, for the most part, they’re invisible to the naked eye. Yet those invisible gases, from ground-level ozone (O₃) to particulates (PM2.5 and PM10), often cause enormous health problems when they enter our more sensitive systems, such as the lungs or eyes. In fact, air pollution is directly responsible for the death of over 7 million people each year, and approximately 90 per cent of the world’s population is exposed to air pollution at some point.

In the past, it’s been the responsibility of international organisations such as the World Health Organisation to mitigate the threat of air pollution through the development of air quality standards and associated regulations. These efforts have led to both significant improvements in air quality and a reduction in negative health complications. But levels of air pollution remain problematic for many people, including those marginalised by society due to economic or social conditions and others who are vulnerable for individual reasons, such as health conditions (e.g., asthmatics), their age (e.g., young children and senior citizens), or occupation (e.g., manual outdoor workers) Further action on air quality is needed to improve human health and it can now happen at the local level.

Because air pollution is very often invisible, it can be all too easy to dismiss or forget. Moreover, any changes made by individuals are unlikely to be noticed. However, with the new monitoring system that makes their data available online to the public, figures can be seen to be getting better.

As technology advances, the cost of these small monitors is falling thus making them more affordable for the likes of schools and offices to purchase. Earthwatch is now collaborating with local communities and schools to deploy these sensors to not only collect valuable air quality data but to build the local capacity to interpret and benefit from that information.

The brain is especially vulnerable to damage from exposure to air pollution. This includes deficits in brain development in young children, neurodegeneration in adults, and sensitisation in susceptible individuals.

Most people are exposed to varying levels of pollution and have the ability to store some of these pollutants in the body. Most bodies have a natural detoxification system and will expel these unwanted chemicals with relative ease. However, sometimes the body can become overwhelmed by the sheer volume and fails to eject all it should.

Other pollutants such as the PM2.5 particulate are so small that they easily bypass the body’s defence system and become deeply embedded in the respiratory system. Once in here, they have the ability to transfer into the bloodstream and move throughout the body. These are the most dangerous as they are not easily expelled.