Air quality enters ‘unhealthy’ range on 9 Sept as NEA predicts haze over S’pore if Indonesian fires persist
Singapore’s air quality again entered the “unhealthy” range on Wednesday (9 Sept) night, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA).
The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hit 102 in the central region at 11pm after inching upwards the entire day.
Source: Johan Lithun on Flickr
Central region hit a peak of 123 PSI on 4 Sept
Singapore’s 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 east and west regions also ventured into the “unhealthy” range over the weekend.
But the situation improved slightly at the beginning of this week, with the readings moving down into the “moderate” range, though NEA had predicted it would go up to the “low unhealthy” range.
The “unhealthy” range is a PSI of 101 to 200, while PSI readings of 51 to 100 are considered “moderate”.
‘Unhealthy’ air quality on 9 Sept carries over to 10 Sept
On Wednesday, the PSI started in the “moderate” range but edged closer towards the “unhealthy” range throughout the day.
Source: www.haze.gov.sg
At 10pm, it finally reached 100, then 102 at 11pm.
Source: www.haze.gov.sg
This came as the air quality in the other regions of Singapore remained in the “moderate” range.
The air quality in the central region worsened in the early hours of Thursday (10 Sept) morning, with the PSI increasing to 103 at 2am, while it remained steady or even dropped in other regions.
Source: www.haze.gov.sg
Risk of haze remains over S’pore
In its daily haze advisory, NEA said on Wednesday afternoon that “moderate to dense” smoke plumes continued to be detected from fires in southern and central Sumatra, as well as West Kalimantan.
Smoke haze was also observed to be drifting towards Singapore.
Source: National Environment Agency
While some showers are expected over central and northern Sumatra in the coming days, dry conditions should persist over Kalimantan and southern Sumatra.
Thus, the risk of haze over Singapore remains if these fires continue.
The air quality in the 24 hours before 6pm on Thursday is therefore predicted to be in the “high moderate” to “low unhealthy” range.
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.
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Featured image adapted from Johan Lithun on Flickr and www.haze.gov.sg.
