Singapore Haze: What You Need to Know as Air Quality Turns Unhealthy
Singapore haze has pushed air quality into the unhealthy range across all five regions for the first time since 2019. Here's what to know.
On September 15, Singapore experienced its worst air quality in nearly four years as the entire island entered an "unhealthy" range, according to The Straits Times. This alarming situation arose due to smoke plumes drifting from fires in Indonesia's Kalimantan region, as reported by Tempo.CO in Jakarta. The haze originated from smoke plumes originating from fires in Kalimantan and hotspots across central and southern Sumatra.
The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre warned that the smoke haze situation would persist in fire-prone areas experiencing prolonged dry conditions, increasing the risk of severe transboundary haze in the region.
Singapore's air quality was assessed using the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI), which measures the concentration of air pollutants. The readings ranged from 104 in the north to 154 in central Singapore at 6 a.m. Tuesday. The NEA classified these levels as unhealthy, with readings between 101 and 200 indicating such conditions.
The health advisory for the unhealthy range recommended reducing outdoor activities, especially for vulnerable groups including children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with heart or lung conditions.
The haze posed a more significant threat than just visibility or a smoky smell, as fires in the region also emitted fine particles known as PM2.5. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs when inhaled, making air quality an essential concern beyond just visibility. For a more comprehensive understanding of air quality throughout the day, the 24-hour PSI and its corresponding health advisories offer valuable insights.
While Singapore's varying landscapes might lead some to believe the air quality is uniform across the island, the NEA emphasized that smoke haze could impact different neighborhoods differently. Thus, residents were advised to remain vigilant and monitor the latest air quality readings and health advisories before planning outdoor activities. The NEA provided access to these updates through their haze information services and the myENV app.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
