Health advisory and haze forecast for Wednesday

SINGAPORE - As of 8pm today, the 24-hr Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) stood at 52 to 60, and the 24-hr PM2.5 concentration was 32 to 43 micrograms per cubic metre.

The National Environmental Agency (NEA) said that for the next one to two days, slightly hazy conditions can still be expected as the prevailing winds are expected to continue to blow from the south or southeast.

The 24-hour PSI for tomorrow is expected to continue to be in the "moderate" band of 51 to 100.

Air quality has improved since Saturday afternoon, and this downward trend has been sustained till today.

The three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) fell to a low of 36 at 4am on Tuesday before rising slowly to a high of 74 at 4pm.

HEALTH ADVISORY

Healthy people

Avoid prolonged/strenuous outdoor physical exertion

Elderly, pregnant women and children

Minimise prolonged outdoor activity

People with chronic medical conditions especially lung or heart disease

Avoid all outdoor activity

Wear N95 mask if prolonged outdoor activity is unavoidable.

* The use of N95 mask increases the effort in breathing and may cause discomfort, tiredness or headache. As some people with chronic lung disease, heart disease or stroke may already have reduced lung volumes or breathing issues, they should stop using a N95 mask if they feel uncomfortable. They should consult their doctor as to whether they can use the N95 mask.

Those who are not feeling well are advised to seek medical attention.

For employers

Employers are advised to provide suitable respirators to all employees carrying out outdoor work. They should also deploy susceptible employees to work indoors, preferably doing work which is not physically strenuous.

MOH has activated the hospitals to prepare for the anticipated increase in the number of cases of asthma, bronchitis and conjunctivitis.

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