Grey skies? It's not the haze, says NEA

Judith Tan, Straits Times 6 Jun 08;

SINGAPOREANS woke up to hazy skies yesterday, and the air quality index hit 53 - still in the moderate range, but the third worst reading of the year.

High-rise buildings in housing estates from Bishan to Sengkang were shrouded in grey, as was the downtown skyline.

But while the air quality yesterday was the poorest since fires in Indonesia sent clouds of ash this way in February, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said the grey shroud was 'not haze'.

Its spokesman attributed the cloud to 'poor dispersion of particulate matter', but did not elaborate.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency website, particulate matter is a mixture of extremely small particles and drops of liquid. It can include acids, organic chemicals, metals and tiny dust particles.

However, smoke haze is also caused by particulate matter, and one Singaporean said the effects felt the same to her.

'My eyes told me a different story,' said executive

Xiao Lixian, when told the NEA said haze was not responsible for the grey shroud.

'They were tearing badly this morning and I sneezed continuously. How can it not be haze?' asked the 30-year-old.

The Indonesian meteorological service reported recently that burning had started and hundreds of hot spots have appeared in Kalimantan and the Riau Islands.

This year's worst air quality was recorded in February. On Feb 16, the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reached 54 and on Feb 24, it hit a high of 56.

At the same time, it was reported that farmers in the Sumatran province of Riau had begun clearing undergrowth by setting it alight earlier than usual.