Singapore experiences smoke haze from time to time. The haze is caused by forest fires in the region which arise when open burning is carried out to clear land for agricultural uses. It can be made worse by dry seasons, changes in wind direction, and when precipitation is low. Prevailing winds sometimes carry smoke haze produced by the forest fires over Singapore’s skies, particularly during the Southwest monsoon season.
While the ultimate solution to the issue of haze lies in collaborative efforts to reduce burning of forest cover, Singapore is taking steps to ensure its population is equipped to deal with haze when it occurs. Such steps include the provision of early haze warnings, measurement and dissemination of air quality information, and guidelines for dealing with haze-related issues.
For practical tips for households to reduce exposure to haze particles at home, click here.
ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre
NEA works with our ASEAN partners to combat haze. Together with the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS), NEA hosts the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) – a collaborative programme between the national meteorological services of ASEAN member countries – to manage the haze problem in the region. ASMC’s primary task is to monitor and provide assessments of forest fires and transboundary smoke haze affecting the ASEAN region.
For information on ASMC and its services, visit its website.
Health advisory for the general public
The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) measures air quality and indicates the severity of smoke haze. The health effects of haze are dependent on its severity, as described by the PSI. A PSI reading of 101 and above is deemed unhealthy.
The main pollutant of concern during periods of smoke haze is fine particulate matter or PM2.5 (particulate of size 2.5 microns and below). These particulates enter air-conditioned buildings through the fresh air intake, and through openings and gaps. The particulate levels indoors can accumulate to unhealthy levels, resulting in undesirable health effects on building occupants. It can also adversely affect the efficiency of air-conditioning systems.
The health effects of haze are dependent on an individual’s health status (e.g whether one has pre-existing chronic heart or lung disease), the PSI level, and the duration and intensity of outdoor activity.
Reducing outdoor activities and physical exertion can help limit the adverse effects of haze exposure. Those who do not feel well, especially the elderly and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention.
The public is advised to check for relevant health advisories that will be issued based on the PSI or PM2.5 readings on the NEA corporate website (www.nea.gov.sg) and Haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg).
Note: The MOH Health Advisory table below is aligned with the revised PSI reporting system. The revised PSI reporting system takes effect from 1 April 2014.
** Prolonged = continuous exposure for several hours
*** Strenuous = involving a lot of energy or effort
^ Reduce = do less
^^ Mininise = do as little as possible
^^^ Avoid = do not do