The API is measured and told the people by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) daily in Hong Kong from June 1995. Moreover, the EPD makes forecast on the API for the following day everyday.
In Hong Kong, there are two types of API: General API and Roadside API. The EPD reports the latest APIs hourly.
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The table below shows the Health Implications of the respective API used in Hong Kong.
Similar to Hong Kong, the air quality in Malaysia is reported as the API or Air Pollution Index. Four of the index's pollutant components (i.e., carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide) are reported in ppmv but PM10 particulate matter is reported in μg/m³.
This scale below shows the Health classifications used by the Malaysian government.
0-50 Good
51-100 Moderate
101-200 Unhealthy
201-300 Very unhealthy
301- Hazardous
If the API exceeds 500, a state of emergency is declared in the reporting area. Usually, this means that non-essential government services are suspended, and all ports in the affected area are closed. There may also be a prohibition on private sector commercial and industrial activities in the reporting area excluding the food sector.
