Is indoor air safer? 7 things to know and ways to stay protected in this prolonged haze season
A test reveals worse air quality indoors than outside, while product testing shows that some expired masks still filter particles effectively. Talking Point finds out from experts why neither finding tells the whole story.
Singaporeans grapple with raised concerns about prolonged exposure to PM2.5 during the current severe haze episode, which surpassed the 15-day streak seen in 2015. While some may think staying indoors with windows shut offers protection, it may not be as clean as believed. CNA’s Talking Point investigated this issue and consulted experts on seven things Singaporeans should know during this haze season.
A test revealed that indoor air quality can be worse than outside, with one flat’s PM2.5 reading of 187 micrograms per cubic metre being higher than the outdoor level of 169. This finding comes as the haze persists, with 20 consecutive days of unhealthy air.
Respiratory physician Steve Yang from The Respiratory Practice explained that PM2.5 particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and increasing the risk of stroke or lung cancer. Air-conditioning may seem like a solution, but it is not a substitute for an air purifier. One air purifier used in the living room dropped the PM2.5 reading from 131.6 to 40.7, within the normal band.
Expired N95 masks may still provide protection, with one that expired in 2017 achieving 99% filtration efficiency, exceeding the required 95%. However, masks must fit snugly and be stored in cool, dry conditions to maintain their filtration capability. Surgical masks, which filter out 67% of test particles, should be discarded if they are damaged or deteriorated, as their effectiveness cannot be guaranteed.
Written by urgent.news from CNA - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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