Singapore's PSI hits high of 79, sparks health
warning
By Leong Wai Kit | Posted: 07
September 2012 1708 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore registered its worst level of
air pollution for the year on Friday as smoke from forest fires in
Indonesia blew over the city-state, triggering a health
warning.
Singapore's three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hit a high
of 79 at 7am on Friday. The air began to clear later in the morning
thanks to favourable winds.
The PSI fell to a reading of 33 at noon, before climbing to 52 at
5pm.
A PSI reading of 0-50 indicates air quality is "good", 51-100 is
"moderate" while anything above 100 is considered
"unhealthy".
"For the past one week, an increase in hotspot activities was
observed over Sumatra," the National Environment Agency (NEA) said
in its latest update.
"The current prevailing winds blowing from the southwest or south
have transported the haze from fires in southern Sumatra towards
Singapore," referring to the Indonesian island.
It said hazy conditions could still recur and advised people with
heart or lung disease, children and older adults aged 65 and above
to avoid all physical activity outdoors.
"Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion," NEA
added.
Fires in Indonesia are mostly concentrated in the provinces of
Jambi and South Sumatra.
The haze caused by the fires builds up during the dry season when
farmers clean their land by burning, affecting tourism and
contributing to health problems across the region.
Indonesia's government has outlawed land-clearing by fire but weak
law enforcement means the ban is largely ignored.
As Singapore braces for more hazy days ahead, the NEA will provide
hourly updates of the three-hour PSI reading from 7am to 7pm daily
to keep the public informed more regularly of the haze
situation.
Meanwhile businesses and the organisers of a major marathon said
there are contingency plans in place.
Organisers of the SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon
2012 said they are ready to cancel the event on Sunday morning if
the PSI reaches an unhealthy level by Saturday evening.
Participants are advised to check the SAFRA website for more
information.
One bicycle rental shop at a beach attraction said it is
considering giving out masks to its customers.
Others with back-up plans include the Singapore Flyer.
Singapore Flyer's senior manager for guest services, Henry Loo,
said: "If the haze is bad, it will be a national problem. Everybody
will be advised to stay indoors. So, we will definitely discourage
our visitors from boarding the capsules. But, for those visitors
who have already purchased tickets, we will encourage them to come
back another day, or if they insist, we will refund them."
The public can access PSI updates through the following
channels:
a) [email protected] website at www.weather.nea.gov.sg/
b) twitter.com/neasg
c) NEA Call Centre at 1800 CALL NEA (1800 2255 632)
d) NEA iPhone/Android App myENV
- CNA/AFP/xq/al/ir
