Hazy conditions were reported around Singapore on Monday (Oct 6), as the PSI reading crossed into the unhealthy range. Hazy conditions are expected to persist overnight into Tuesday, said the NEA.
SINGAPORE: The Republic's air quality reached unhealthy levels on Monday (Oct 6), after days of relatively clear skies. The air quality reached levels understood to be the worst since a new air quality reporting system - which takes into account fine particulate matter - was implemented in April this year.
Monday's 3-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading was 136 as of 9pm, after hitting a high of 153 at 7pm.
The hazy conditions are "expected to persist overnight" and into Tuesday, said the National Environment Agency (NEA). "The overall air quality for the next 24 hours is expected to be in the high-end of moderate and unhealthy range," added the NEA. The 24-hr PSI was at 9pm stood at 84-98, in the moderate range.
"PM2.5 levels are elevated in all regions of Singapore, with the 1-hr concentrations of PM2.5 rising to 131μg/m3 in the southern region of Singapore," said the NEA in an advisory, adding that "the haziness was due to smoke haze from a nearby source in central Sumatra, being blown in by the prevailing southwesterly winds".
It said 97 hotspots were detected in Sumatra on Monday, 74 of which were in Kalimantan. The agency said it has requested for an "urgent update" of the situation on the ground from Indonesian authorities and has also asked them to take immediate action to suppress the fires.
The 3-hour PSI reading of 153 is understood to be the worst since the NEA implemented a new air quality reporting system in April, which incorporates PM2.5 levels - or fine particulate matter concentrations - into its readings. It is also the highest PSI level since the haze made a reappearance in September.
The three-hour PSI reading stayed in the moderate range in the morning, but climbed steadily to cross into the 'unhealthy' range at 1pm, with a reading of 104. Callers to the Channel NewsAsia's hotline also complained of a strong burning smell in the air in the central and southern parts of Singapore, while residents in the west complained about poor visibility.
NEA has encouraged Singaporeans to reduce outdoor activities and physical exertion to "help limit the ill effects from haze exposure". "Given the air quality forecast for tomorrow, healthy persons should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion," said the NEA.
"The elderly, pregnant women and children should minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion, while those with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. Persons who are not feeling well, especially the elderly and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention."
However, Monday's haze did not stop many from taking advantage of a long weekend to enjoy outings with friends and family.
At the East Coast Park, a popular beach area, many were seen indulging in some family time, such as taking a dip in the water and enjoying water sports. However, some stall holders at the nearby East Coast Lagoon Food Village said that their afternoon business had been affected by about 10 per cent, with many regular joggers and families choosing to stay indoors after seeing hazy skies.
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