Air quality predicted to hit ‘low unhealthy’ range on 8 Sept if Indonesian fires continue to produce haze

Air quality between ‘moderate’ & ‘low unhealthy’ range before 6pm on 8 Sept, says NEA in haze update

The air quality in the 24 hours before 6pm on Tuesday (8 Sept) is predicted to hit the “low unhealthy” range, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA).

The haze will affect Singapore if the fires continue burning in parts of Indonesia, said NEA in its daily haze advisory.

PSI remains in ‘moderate’ range on 7 Sept

As of 6pm on Monday (7 Sept), NEA said the conditions over Singapore so far were “fair”.

The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) remained in the “moderate” range of 63 to 85, an improvement after the air quality in the central, east and west regions ventured into the “unhealthy” range on 4 Sept and 5 Sept.

The PSI for the central region hit a high of 98 — close to “unhealthy” — at 4am on Monday, before dropping steadily throughout the day, according to NEA’s dedicated haze website.

The central region has seen the worst air quality over the past few days, with a peak of 123 PSI recorded last Friday (4 Sept) night.

The “unhealthy” range is a PSI of 101 to 200, while PSI readings of 51 to 100 are considered “moderate”.

Risk of haze remains as smoke continues to drift towards S’pore

However, NEA said that “moderate to dense” smoke plumes continued to drift towards Singapore from fires in southern and central Sumatra, as well as West Kalimantan.

While some showers are expected over parts of Kalimantan in the coming days, dry conditions should persist over Singapore and southern and central Sumatra.

Thus, the risk of haze over Singapore remains if these fires continue.

Red Cross providing support to vulnerable groups

NEA advised healthy persons to reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion if the PSI enters the “unhealthy” range.

Vulnerable people and those with chronic lung or heart disease should minimise and avoid such exertion.

Recognising the threat to the health of vulnerable communities, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) is stepping up aid, starting with 700 people across Singapore.

200 stay-alone seniors aged above 70 will receive air purifiers and Heat & Haze Support Packs, said SRC in a statement on Monday.

Those who need it will also get three months of support for their electricity bills to facilitate the use of the air purifiers.

500 more people from vulnerable groups will also receive care packs containing coconut water, isotonic drinks, suitable ready-to-eat food, basic hygiene items, and other practical essentials.

Also read: Haze Task Force issues health advisory after S’pore air quality dips into unhealthy range due to haze

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Featured image adapted from Susan McNamara on Facebook and National Environment Agency.