KUCHING (Sept 13): The Malaysian Thoracic Society (MTS) has urged the government to step up public awareness and enforcement activities to prevent further deterioration of air quality.

The current haze is not merely an environmental issue but a significant public health threat, particularly to people’s lungs and respiratory systems.

“Clean air is not a luxury. It is a basic requirement for healthy lungs and a healthy society. We should not wait for another emergency declaration before acting.

“Prevention, accountability and regional cooperation must begin before the next fire starts,” the society said in a statement on Saturday.

MTS pointed out that Sarawak was bearing the brunt of the haze, with many locations recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings.

Unhealthy readings have also been recorded in parts of Sabah, Johor and Labuan.

“The recent episode has been particularly severe in Sarawak, with Kuching, Serian, Sri Aman and Samarahan reaching very unhealthy levels earlier this week (recently).

“Transboundary smoke from extensive fires in Kalimantan and Sumatera has contributed significantly to the situation,” it said.

The society advised the public to protect their lungs, particularly in areas experiencing unhealthy or worse air quality. Residents should reduce prolonged outdoor activities, particularly strenuous exercise.

Children, older adults, pregnant women and people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease and other chronic illnesses should take extra precautions and remain indoors as much as practicable when air quality deteriorates.

“Where outdoor exposure is unavoidable, a properly fitted N95 or equivalent particulate respirator provides substantially better protection against fine particles than ordinary surgical or cloth masks.”

MTS further advised communities to keep windows and doors closed when appropriate, and consider using air conditioning and/or air purifiers where available.

People with respiratory disease should ensure that their regular medications are available and seek medical attention if they develop worsening breathlessness, persistent wheezing, chest tightness or other significant symptoms, it said.

However, MTS stressed that protecting people during a haze episode was only half the solution.

“Haze of this magnitude should not become an annual inevitability. While weather and dry conditions can worsen fires, the ignition and uncontrolled burning of forests, peatlands and agricultural land are largely preventable human activities,” it said.

The society noted recent reports indicate extensive fires across parts of Indonesia, with transboundary smoke affecting neighbouring countries including Malaysia.

It called upon the government to strengthen regional diplomatic engagement, real-time monitoring, enforcement and accountability under existing Asean mechanisms.

MTS also urged the government to intensify surveillance of local open burning, strengthen early-warning and firefighting capacity, and pursue meaningful action against parties responsible for fires that endanger public health across national borders.

“Open burning of garden waste is illegal but is still commonplace during this time of transboundary haze,” it added.