Malaysia Declares Haze Emergency

[sintax]

Malaysia declares haze emergency

John Aglionby in Medan
Friday August 12, 2005
The Guardian

Malaysia declared a "haze emergency" in several areas around Kuala Lumpur yesterday after air pollution from choking smog that is blanketing several western states registered dangerous levels.

Schools and private offices were closed, non-essential government services were suspended and people were advised to stay inside as the air pollution index topped 500 - the emergency threshold - for the first time in eight years.

Port Klang, Malaysia's largest harbour, was closed for a few hours and fishermen were warned not to venture into the Malacca strait, one of the world's busiest waterways.

Hospitals and clinics have reported a steep increase in the number of eye, throat and respiratory complaints, while chemists have been reporting brisk sales of protective masks.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1547486,00.html