KOTA KINABALU: The state Health Department's risk assessment study found that there is no need to wear face masks following the eruption of Mount Ruang in Indonesia.
"For now, there is no need to wear face masks in open areas," said state Health director Datuk Dr Asits Sanna.
However, he said, people were advised to seek treatment at the nearest health clinic and hospital if they experienced respiratory issues.
"The department also monitors haze-related diseases, such as upper respiratory tract infections, asthma and conjunctivitis in several health clinics and sentinel hospitals in Sabah," said Dr Asits.
The state Health Department advised the public to follow the air quality status report issued by the Environment Protection Department at apims.doe.gov.my.
People should also take health precautions based on the air pollutant index in their areas, it said.
He said the state Health Department constantly monitored the environment and the incidences of diseases due to air pollution.
He added that the public would be notified if there were any changes in the air pollution status.
Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi has erupted six times since April 16, sending plumes of smoke as high as 3,000m.
Several locations on nearby islands have reported experiencing volcanic ash rain.
Volcanic eruptions can release harmful particles, such as ash, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide gases.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general stated that the observed eruption reached up to 16,764m in the air.
However, monitoring of the air pollution index does not indicate any impact on surface air quality.
