SINGAPORE - The haze that enveloped Singapore for the past week hit an unhealthy level on Wednesday (Sept 18) morning as workers headed to work and students to school.
The one-hour PM2.5 reading ranged between 86 micrograms per cubic metre in the northern part of the island and 119 in the southern part, within the elevated band, at 11am on Wednesday.
The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) was 109 in the northern region, and higher across the island. The highest reading of 124 was recorded in the south.
The haze level had worsened overnight after hovering in the moderate and unhealthy ranges on Tuesday.
A PSI reading of 101 to 200 is in the unhealthy range, for which the National Environment Agency (NEA) advises the public to cut down on outdoor activities.
There are four bands on the PM2.5 concentration scale: 0 to 55 for normal, 56 to 150 for elevated, 151 to 250 for high, and very high for readings above 250.
The five bands on the PSI scale are: 0 to 50 for good, 51 to 100 for moderate, 101 to 200 for unhealthy, 201 to 300 for very unhealthy, and hazardous for readings above 300.
The NEA said on Tuesday that a government task force that it leads is ready to tackle the impact of haze, and the 24-hour PSI is forecast to range between the high end of moderate range and the low end of unhealthy range, depending on wind conditions.
A total of 109 hot spots were detected in Sumatra on Tuesday, with haze observed in the central and southern provinces of Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra and Lampung, said the NEA. Hot-spot activities in Sumatra will probably persist amid the dry conditions here and in Indonesia.
Agencies in the government task force that have taken steps to tackle the haze include the Health, Education and Manpower ministries. They have reminded healthcare institutions, schools and employers to take anti-haze measures such as having air purifiers and reducing outdoor activities should the air quality worsen.
The People’s Association will keep air-conditioned rooms in residents’ committee centres and community clubs open for people if the PM2.5 concentration readings cross into the high band (151-250).
As the air quality worsens, Singaporeans are taking extra steps to protect themselves against the haze.
Public relations officer Ng Xinyu, 23, said that she had cancelled plans to meet her friends even though she had recovered from a throat infection. Her throat was painful last Saturday when the PSI hit the unhealthy level for the first time since 2016.
Meanwhile, Mr Joseph Lim, 27, has been wearing N95 masks outdoors and closing the windows when he is at home.
Said the engineer: “I’m annoyed by the unnecessary increase in costs. It’s very stuffy at home so I have to switch on the fan and air-conditioner, which raises my (electricity) bills.”
