Singapore wakes up to unhealthy air quality, central region PSI hits 154

Air quality across all five regions in Singapore are in the unhealthy range.

The Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) reading for southern Singapore slipped into the unhealthy range at 10pm, while air quality in northern Singapore entered the unhealthy range at 1am.

It hit a high of 154 in central Singapore at 6am.

At 7am on Tuesday (Sept 15) morning, the PSI reading was between 104 and 153 — within the unhealthy range — with central Singapore recording the highest PSI of 153.

But one-hour PM2.5 — an indicator of fine micro-pollutants in the air — has been improving across Singapore..

Data from the National Environment Agency (NEA) shows that at 7am, only central Singapore (57) has a marginally elevated PM2.5 reading. 

Meanwhile, one-hour PM2.5 reading for the four remaining regions is between 24 and 38, within the normal band. Readings of between 56 and 150 denote the elevated band.

High moderate to mid-unhealthy PSI forecast

In its daily haze situation update on Monday evening, NEA had said the country's 24-hour PSI forecast is expected to be in the high moderate to mid-unhealthy range. 

Explaining this, the agency noted that moderate to dense smoke plumes from fires in Kalimantan drifted towards Singapore on Monday.

This, it said, is due to a shift in the prevailing winds to east-southeasterly directions, adding that smoke haze was also observed drifting from southern Sumatra.

In addition, dry weather conditions are expected over Singapore and the surrounding region in the coming days. 

With prevailing winds forecast to continue blowing from the southeast to east-southeast, Singapore is likely to remain affected by smoke haze, NEA said.

What the PM2.5 readings mean for outdoor activities

PM2.5 is the current air quality that matters — when planning to conduct or participate in outdoor activities immediately.

When PM2.5 readings are in the elevated band, members of the public should reduce strenuous outdoor activity for the next few hours. 

Vulnerable persons such as the elderly, pregnant women, children, and persons with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid strenuous outdoor activity.

Members of the public should note that the health impact of haze is dependent on one's health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity. 

For the general population, symptoms that may arise from short-term exposure include throat or eye irritation.

These symptoms are typically temporary and should subside once a person leaves the affected environment.

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editor@asiaone.com