Doctors urge earlier action to protect children from haze

Photo courtesy of Free Malaysia Today

Doctors have urged Malaysian schools and parents to reduce children’s outdoor activities before air pollution reaches the official unhealthy threshold, warning that rising haze levels can already present health risks.

Malaysia classifies Air Pollutant Index readings from 51 to 100 as moderate, while readings from 101 to 200 are considered unhealthy, particularly for sensitive groups such as children.

Paediatric specialist Dr G Naveen Nair said a reading below 101 should not automatically be treated as safe when pollution levels are rising. He said an API of 95 was not significantly different from 101 and schools should consider both the trend and the length of time children spend outdoors.

Children face greater exposure risks

Children are more vulnerable because they have smaller airways and breathe more air in relation to their body size. During running or exercise, they breathe faster and take in more fine particles from polluted air.

The education ministry has reminded schools to stop outdoor activities once the API exceeds 101. Schools are automatically closed when readings reach 201, which falls within the very unhealthy category. Levels above 300 are classified as hazardous.

Naveen said children with asthma or other lung conditions need extra protection and should reduce outdoor activity if they develop coughing, wheezing or breathlessness, even before the API reaches 100.

Parents told to watch symptoms and trends

Parents and teachers should monitor children for watery eyes, sneezing, a runny nose, throat irritation or worsening coughs. Chest tightness and more frequent use of an inhaler are more serious warning signs.

Dr N Thiyagar, dean of AIMST University’s Faculty of Medicine, said children’s developing lungs and immune systems make them more susceptible to haze. Those with asthma, allergies or heart problems face even greater risks.

He advised caution over prolonged outdoor activity even before the API reaches 100. Children with underlying health conditions may require protection when readings are between 60 and 90.

Doctors stressed that the duration of exposure matters alongside the pollution reading, as prolonged contact with haze may contribute to lasting lung damage.

What it means for foreigners in Malaysia

Foreign families living in or visiting Malaysia should monitor local API readings and their direction of travel rather than waiting for the level to cross 101. Children, older adults and people with heart, lung or allergy conditions should limit prolonged outdoor activity as readings rise. Seek medical advice if coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or breathing difficulty develops.

31 August 2026