Haze in Singapore: Air quality across the island improves slightly but remains in unhealthy range

Singapore experienced a slight improvement in air quality overnight, although it remained in the unhealthy range, according to the latest report from the National Environment Agency (NEA). The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings across the island showed only minor fluctuations, ranging from 119 in the north to 153 in the west and central region. This marks an improvement from the previous day's peak PSI value of 183 in the central region.

Despite the slight improvement, the air quality remains unhealthy when the PSI, which is a 24-hour rolling average of six key air pollutants, falls within the range of 101 to 200. The PM2.5 reading, a gauge for immediate air quality, remained elevated across Singapore, with values ranging from 56 in the north to 108 in the west and central region. An hourly PM2.5 reading between 56 and 150 indicates elevated pollution levels, while values between 151 and 250 represent high pollution levels.

The NEA's daily advisory, issued at 7pm on Oct 10, predicted that the 24-hour PSI would remain in the "unhealthy to high unhealthy range", staying away from the "very unhealthy" range of 201 to 300. The agency noted that moderate to dense smoke haze from southern Sumatra was drifting towards Singapore, along with smoke haze observed in many parts of Kalimantan. The haze is expected to continue drifting towards Singapore under prevailing east-southeast or southerly winds.