Capital city, Malaysia
Air quality in Kuala Lumpur
Very polluted
The annual average PM2.5 in Kuala Lumpur was 28.3 µg/m³ in 2019, about 5.7 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Regional forest-fire haze sometimes drifts in Aug–Oct; check the DOE Air Pollutant Index and wear a mask on bad days.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 28.3 µg/m³ yearly average (2019). Measured at Kuala Lumpur.
- PM10: 36 µg/m³ (2019).
- Worst months: Aug–Oct.
Air quality across Malaysia
| Place | PM2.5 | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Kota Kinabalu | 15 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Penang | 21 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Malacca | 25 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Kuala Lumpur | 28.3 µg/m³ | Very polluted |
Quick answers
Is the air in Kuala Lumpur bad?
Very polluted: 28.3 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 5.7× the WHO guideline. It's usually worst in Aug–Oct.
When is the air worst in Kuala Lumpur?
Regional forest-fire haze sometimes drifts in Aug–Oct; check the DOE Air Pollutant Index and wear a mask on bad days.
How does Kuala Lumpur compare with the rest of Malaysia?
People in Malaysia breathe 16 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 28.3 µg/m³ measured here.
More about Kuala Lumpur
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Rapid KL
- KLIA Ekspres
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport
- Prince Court Medical Centre
- Grab Malaysia
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.