Singapore air quality dips into unhealthy territory on 4 Sept 2026
As wildfires continue to burn in Indonesia, surrounding Southeast Asian countries are feeling the effects as haze rolls in.
This includes Singapore, whose air quality just dipped into the unhealthy range in the central region on 4 Sept.
According to the National Environmental Agency (NEA), the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) entered the unhealthy zone at around 7am.
This is the first time the 24-hour PSI has dipped into the unhealthy band, which ranges from 101 – 200, due to haze since 8 Oct 2023.
Additionally, the Haze Task Force (HTF) announced several measures to ensure the well-being of Singaporeans.
This includes daily haze advisories starting from 4 Sept.
Authorities recommend reducing outdoor exercise
Apart from the central region in Singapore, the other four regions were in the moderate range.
The 24-hour PSI measured 78 in the north, 89 in the east, 74 in the south, and 90 in the west.
Source: National Environment Agency
The haze will affect individuals differently based on their personal health and how strenuous their outdoor physical activity is.
HTF recommends everyone to reduce outdoor physical activity and to remain hydrated.
“Those with chronic heart and lung conditions should ensure that medications are on hand and readily accessible,” they said.
Vulnerable persons, especially the elderly, pregnant women, children, and those with chronic heart and lung conditions, who develop symptoms or feel unwell, should seek medical attention promptly.
HTF also said that N95 masks are not required if individuals are only exposed to haze for short periods of time, such as during commute.
“In general, a healthy individual who has to be outdoors for several hours may wear an N95 mask to reduce exposure when the forecasted air quality is in the Hazardous range (PSI >300),” they said.
The elderly, pregnant women, and those with severe lung or heart conditions should consult their doctors on whether or not an N95 mask would be appropriate.
Current air quality will be available for the public on www.haze.gov.sg, www.nea.gov.sg and the myENV app.
Advisory for schools and workplaces
Preschools in Singapore have not only been equipped with air purifiers, but have also been advised to minimise prolonged outdoor activities and strenuous indoor physical activities.
Likewise, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has also ensured that other educational institutions such as primary, secondary schools, and junior colleges, are equipped with air purifiers.
Teachers have also been advised to take special note of students with underlying health conditions. For more details on how schools will manage haze, go here.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has also reminded employers to follow haze guidelines and tripartite advisories, available here.
Haze hits amid wildfires in Indonesia
According to the BBC, the wildfires in Indonesian Borneo and Sumatra have been burning since mid-July.
The haze has spread as far as the Philippines and has caused a surge in cases of asthma in Malaysia.
The conditions are only made worse with El Nino making the weather hotter and drier.
However, experts are saying that because the onset of El Nino is starting later in the year, the air quality will not be as disastrous as in 2015 when schools had to shut due to the haze.
Due to the impact of the haze, Malaysia is looking to launch cloud-seeding operations for rainfall.
Like Singapore, Brunei has also issued health advisory warnings for its residents.
Concerned Singaporeans can check the NEA’s website for both 24-hour PSI and 1-hour PM 2.5 readings.
Source: National Environment Agency
Because the main pollutant during haze season is PM2.5, the NEA says residents can use the 1-hour PM2.5 figures to interpret the air quality and “plan their immediate personal activities”.
Meanwhile, the 24-hour PSI is to be used for planning activities the following day.
Source: National Environment Agency
Also read: NEA observes ‘escalation’ in hotspots near S’pore as air quality nears unhealthy range on 24 Aug
NEA observes ‘escalation’ in hotspots near S’pore as air quality nears unhealthy range on 24 Aug
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Featured image adapted from Healthway Medical and National Environment Agency.
