Haze in Singapore: PSI back to moderate range after rain

sara grosse Today Online 23 Oct 10;

SINGAPORE - The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) moved back into the moderate range on Friday - thanks to the rain - after hovering at unhealthy levels the previous day.

The three-hour PSI reading on Friday at 6pm stood at 96.

But for many Singaporeans, life is not back to normal - with hazy conditions still expected this weekend, according to the National Environment Agency.

The NEA said the prevailing southwesterly to westerly winds were still bringing in smoke haze from the fires in Sumatra.

Childcare centres, for instance, have stepped up precautionary measures. Ms Catherine Chng, the principal of My First Skool, said: "If the PSI reaches above 100, we will stop all outdoor activities immediately. We will also contact the parents of children who have any discomfort after placing them in an isolation room."

The NEA said Singaporeans who are feeling unwell to see a doctor immediately. Dr Elly Sabrina Ismail, a general practitioner at Banyan Clinic, advised Singaporeans to "try to limit the amount of time you spend outside".

The haze has meant a spike in the number of people heading for the gym.

Fitness First recorded a three per cent rise in average traffic at its outlets in the past two days.

The centre's marketing manager, Ms Sharon See, said: "When the haze situation was very bad in 2006, we saw a lot of members coming more frequently in the gym ... for example, triathletes who usually do long runs outside have to come to the gym now due to the haze."

Meanwhile, organisers of Sunday's Nike City 10K run say it will go on unless the PSI level exceeds 200 or the NEA advises otherwise. Additional reporting by Ibrahim Sawifi and Lee Huey Shin

Haze: Indonesia willing to work with neighbours
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa on Friday said his government was willing to work with its neighbours to overcome the haze problem - while pointing out that the situation had been under control for the last four years.

Speaking to the media in Jakarta, Dr Marty said: "In other words, the efforts the Indonesian government had undertaken during the course of that period had actually worked."

Dr Matry reiterated that the haze problem "cannot be solved by simply one country".

Earlier, Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo had called Dr Marty to express the Republic's concern about the worsening haze situation.

Mr Yeo informed Mr Marty that the PSI went over 100 on Thursday and cases of respiratory problems had increased significantly.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Mr Yeo reiterated Singapore's immediate readiness to help Indonesia put out some of the fires in Sumatra.

Beach clubs affected by the haze
Wayne Chan Channel NewsAsia 23 Oct 10;

SINGAPORE: The PSI hovered in the moderate range on Saturday, hitting 78 at 12 noon, and the outlook for businesses along the beach has been similarly cloudy with the haze.

Observers say many regular beachgoers have stayed away from the beach, leaving the usually packed beach clubs empty.

Clubs like Bora Bora and Cafe Del Mar say business over the last three days has been bad, with the haze driving away more than half of their customers.

"Usually, business on weekdays, we can get at least [1,000 to 1,200 customers]. But these weekdays, we have only 300 to 400 like that," says Siti Asiah, a waitress at the Bora Bora Beach Bar.

Adrian Lee, Operations Manager at Cafe Del Mar, says that he has seen a drop in customers as well.

"We have a drop of maybe 10 to 20 per cent of people coming into Cafe Del Mar itself. Even like Saturday, like you can see right now, we are not having as much as what you have last Saturday."

However, Sentosa Leisure Group says the haze does not seem to have deterred guests from visiting Sentosa and adds that guest arrivals continued to be brisk this past week.

It is anticipating a good turnout at its annual Halloween event, Sentosa Spooktacular, which kicks off this weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, the haze did not stop beachgoers at Sentosa from enjoying their weekend by the sea.

"It's not that bad today. So it's all right you know coming here for a toss, for a drink with friends. Nevertheless, we still take note, if the haze gets worse, we'll definitely consider. But right now, it's perfect, the weather, the wind, the breeze," says beachgoer Joe Leong.

Another beachgoer, Grace Quek, agrees.

"Today haze [is not that bad]. Like [a] normal day...so I just come out here and suntan. [There is also no obvious] smell at all, like [a] normal day."

At East Coast Park, bicycle kiosk operator Mr Lee has suffered a 40 per cent drop in customers.

"There are more teenagers, but less children. There are less families coming here also."

As for the weather outlook, NEA says hazy conditions are still expected with winds forecast to remain southwesterly to westerly for the next two days.

-CNA/ac

Haze back in moderate range
But NEA warns it is not clearing yet and advises against outdoor activity
Jeremy Au Yong Straits Times 23 Oct 10;

RAIN brought some relief yesterday, but the National Environment Agency (NEA) has warned that the haze is not going away just yet.

The downpour in the late morning and early afternoon was not enough to mitigate the haze.

The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings, measured in three-hour intervals, hovered in the moderate range for most of yesterday, dropping as low as 66 at 3pm before climbing to 81 at 7pm.

And it will likely stay hazy throughout the weekend.

The NEA said prevailing winds were expected to remain south-westerly to westerly, blowing the smoke haze from the fires in Sumatra over to Singapore.

No heavy rain is expected in the affected Riau province in Indonesia.

The haze situation also eased in Malaysia yesterday, with schools in the badly affected town of Muar finally reopening.

Positive news came out of Indonesia as well, with the government taking more aggressive steps to deal with the fires.

Forestry officials there said hundreds more firefighters have been sent to Sumatra island to battle the flames.

Latest satellite images show that there are still at least 12 hot spots in southern Sumatra. Due to cloud cover, only one hot spot was detected in Riau province.

In its statement to the media, the NEA also repeated its advice for everyone to reduce vigorous outdoor activities, especially those with heart and respiratory ailments.

Organisers of public events at the weekend were similarly advised to obtain regular PSI updates and health advisories from the agency.

The NEA also noted the role of employers in protecting the safety and health of workers. It advised bosses to carry out proper risk assessment and to take appropriate measures.

The Ministry of Manpower's Guidelines for the Protection of Employees against the Effects of Haze at Workplaces were uploaded on its website.

Indeed, even though the gloomy skies brightened slightly yesterday, many employers and workers were still feeling the aftershocks of the intense haze a day earlier.

On Thursday, PSI readings hit a high of 108, putting air quality in the unhealthy range.

Goat farm Hay Dairies in Lim Chu Kang reported that two of its employees had developed throat irritations.

It is now encouraging all of its employees to wear face masks during working hours.

Over at the Katong Flower Shop, workers were also doing their best to minimise exposure to the hazy air.

Said a manager at the nursery in Bedok: 'We are taking personal precautions to stay indoors more. Luckily, many of our orders are made on the phone so we do not have to be exposed too much to the haze and business can still go on.'

For fast-food delivery rider Muhammad Ramli, 24, the haze has meant having to ride slower, and making fewer trips.

'Riding carefully has become a bit more tiring as visibility is low,' he said.

Organisers of events at the weekend were yesterday also busy coming up with ways to deal with the weather.

Mr Andrew Koh, director and general manager of Canon Singapore's consumer imaging and information division, told The Straits Times that it may be advising the 1,700 people who signed up for its photography contest to take their pictures indoors.

'It does not matter if the images are captured indoors or outdoors. Nonetheless, Canon is monitoring the haze situation and will advise the PhotoMarathon participants to stay indoors if necessary,' he said.

It was the same story for those behind two pre-Deepavali dance events.

A spokesman for the Tampines East Zone 4 Residents' Committee said it was advising those who had health problems to stay away from its Dandia Musical Night today.

Organisers of the Dassera 2010 event to be held at the open field next to Mountbatten Community Centre said they were discussing haze contingency plans.

'We are definitely looking into it tonight. It's a concern that we will address,' said a spokesman.

Unfazed by haze
People take to the beaches and Orchard Road as PSI falls
Amelia Tan and Jessica Lim Straits Times 24 Oct 10;

Singapore's Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) levels dropped to below 30 yesterday - the lowest in at least four days.

As at 11pm yesterday, the PSI reading, measured in three-hour intervals, was at 28.

It hovered mostly in the 70s in the morning and afternoon with a high of 80 at midnight the day before.

But heavy rain over many parts of the island in the late afternoon brought the index down, before it dipped to below 50 - which is in the good range - at 8pm.

Not surprisingly, families were out in force yesterday, taking advantage of the slight reprieve from the haze which has blanketed the island since Monday.

At East Coast Park, many beachgoers said they decided to venture out only after checking that the PSI level was within the moderate range of 51 to 100.

For mother of two Lee Ying Ying, keeping her children cooped up at home was just not an option.

'Keeping them at home doesn't change anything. It's not like they won't breathe in any polluted air when they are at home,' said the teacher, who declined to reveal her age.

Over at Orchard Road, Singapore's main shopping belt was packed with shoppers on the sidewalks, unfazed by the haze.

Bank director Ken Mazzio, 48, an American who has been living here for the past two years, said: 'The haze has not really affected my day-to-day life, although I have spent a bit more time indoors. I keep my three children inside more as well.'

Events across the island also went on as scheduled.

The Canon PhotoMarathon held at Suntec City, which enjoyed a full turnout of about 1,700 people, and S-League matches proceeded without a hitch.

But even though the haze did not keep people indoors, businesses have suffered.

A staff member at Cosmo the Bistro, an outdoor cafe outside Wisma Atria, said that business has been down by about 50 per cent over the past week.

Owners of beach-side businesses at East Coast Park said sales have fallen significantly since the haze hit. Worst hit was the owner of My3Wheels, which rents out the trikke - a three-wheeled cambering vehicle.

Its owner Andrew Kung, 39, said business was down 80 per cent yesterday compared to last Saturday before the haze descended. He rented out only 10 trikkes yesterday and closed his shop four hours earlier because of the poor business.

A National Environment Agency (NEA) spokesman said the hazy conditions will likely continue today. However, showers that are expected in the late morning and early afternoon today may bring more relief.

Still, organisers of today's Nike City 10K race are not taking any chances and have informed runners through SMS that they should not participate if they have heart or respiratory illnesses.

About 12,000 people have registered for the race. The race will proceed unless the PSI level exceeds 200 or if the NEA advises otherwise.

NEA's short and tweet haze updates
Informal tone on Twitter divides opinion, but info also available in more traditional formats
Elizabeth Soh Straits Times 23 Oct 10;

THE tone is friendly, conversational: 'Peeps, PSI still 94 as at 10am', read the tweet that almost 3,200 users of social networking site Twitter received this morning.

A hasty posting by a friend well-informed on the PSI or Pollutant Standards Index and the haze situation here?

No, this was actually an update from the Twitter account of the National Environment Agency (NEA).

Sounding quite unlike a stuffy government agency, it has been tweeting hourly PSI updates since the haze first made the air here look like gauze this week.

As unofficial as they may sound, these tweets have become one of the most reliable ways to receive up-to-date information on the PSI, given that the agency's website is frequently down or slow to load these days because of heavy traffic.

Student Jennifer Lim, 17, who subscribed to the feed yesterday, said: 'I like the updates, they sound friendly and are fun to read.'

A particular tweet that got netizens talking read: 'Three hour PSI at 1 pm was 72 and at 2 pm its 67. Fallen sumore.. :)'.

Not all netizens appreciate the light touch.

Teacher Adeline Kwah, 32, said: 'I appreciate the enthusiasm, but they need to take themselves a bit more seriously.'

In general though, Singaporeans appreciate the effort taken to keep them in the loop.

Office manager Yeo Way Loon, 35, said: 'It's really great they are doing this. We know when to stay in and when to step out.'

For those who prefer more official-sounding haze information, the NEA offers other information channels.

On top of its website and Twitter page twitter.com/NEAsg, it has two other websites - www.weather.gov.sg and weather.nea.gov.sg

Both give hourly updates on the PSI, with the second even offering a mobile edition for those who surf the web on their mobile phones.

Those who would rather hear the information may call either 1800-2255 632 or 6542-7788.

It's frustrating, but life goes on
Straits Times 23 Oct 10;

WORRIED COACH

'I really hope the haze blows over soon because it's becoming quite worrying. It's quite frustrating because there's really nothing anyone can do about it.'

Tennis coach Julian Wong, 26. One of his young students did not show up for class yesterday afternoon because of a respiratory ailment.

TOUGH TO DRIVE

'Visibility is worse in the early morning than during the day. I could barely see 30m in front of me compared with the usual 100m.'

Mr Ramdass Nathan, 41, who runs a minibus and coach company and does some of the driving himself, picking up tourists between 4am and 7am from Changi Airport daily

COME HAZE OR SHINE...

'Life goes on for me. Whether haze or no haze, I'll still come to work every day as it keeps me occupied and strong. If I am too concerned with the haze and stay indoors all the time, I'll be bored to death at home.'

Hotel Rendezvous doorman Chu Chee Ong, 85, who worked his usual 7am-to-3pm shift yesterday

CAN'T STAY AT HOME

'I've been a cobbler for seven years, and this is the first time the haze has been bad enough for me to notice. But I'm not staying home even if it gets worse. Business needs to be done, money needs to be earned.'

Cobbler Chia Ah Kuan, 71, has been drinking more water to keep throat irritation at bay

Haze: Time for Jakarta to act
As the linchpin of Asean, it should show it has political heft to act
Ben Nadarajan Straits Times 23 Oct 10;

MY REST days from work are usually spent lazing at the pool with a book in one hand and a cold drink in the other.

But on Wednesday, the air outside my apartment smelled worse than an incinerator. I stayed indoors.

As a child, I had a neighbour who burned incense outside a common staircase that we shared, forcing his neighbours to inhale smoky air. After suffering in silence for a long time, we eventually appealed to them to stop, but to no avail. We rang the condominium management. After repeated calls, our neighbours finally changed their habits, burning their incense at a more open area at the foot of the block.

The neighbour creating the smoky pall choking your lungs, reddening your eyes and irritating your nose now is much, much bigger. And with much more resources, although it seems unable to act decisively to curb the burning.

The haze has become an annual affair for Indonesia's immediate neighbours, Malaysia and Singapore, since 1997, when the south-westerly winds first brought the haze to Singapore. The thick smog is caused by the burning of forests and peat land in Indonesia to clear the way for crops.

There have been numerous calls over the years for Jakarta to stop or control plantation owners and farmers from applying slash-and-burn methods. In 2002, the Asean agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution was inked to tackle the haze, with a suggestion to set up a regional centre for speedy response to the haze.

Eight years on, Indonesia - a major air polluter in the region - remains the only Asean country not to sign the agreement, because its Parliament has not agreed to ratify the pact.

In return for signing the pact, Indonesia wants Asean neighbours to help fight illegal logging and the smuggling of such logs to nearby countries. It claims that logging is the root cause of forest burning, but its Asean neighbours do not want to curb that as it benefits them.

But Indonesia, as a heavyweight power in its own right, should rise above such tactics, and act responsibly. In any case, its neighbours have repeatedly offered firefighting planes and personnel to help curb the mass burning that causes the haze. Singapore this week repeated its offer to assist in firefighting efforts, as has Kuala Lumpur.

Indonesia is set to take over chairmanship of Asean in January. It is the only Asean country in the G-20 group of the world's top economies. Yet, on the haze issue, its response has been notable for the lack of leadership and the abdication of responsibility, denting its standing.

At United Nations-led climate talks in Copenhagen last year, Jakarta came under fire from environmental activists for not doing enough to protect its rainforests. It has barely taken note of the criticisms.

Indonesia's State Environment Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta did not attend an Asean meeting on the haze pact in Brunei last week, though he was there to attend the environment ministers meeting.

Jakarta's response to complaints from Singapore and Malaysia about the haze - the worst since 2006 - has been so blase as to seem downright offensive.

Its government spokesman has even pointed the finger at alleged hot spots in the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, at a press conference yesterday, called it a 'controlled problem'.

Mr Gusti too said that people in Indonesia were more accustomed to the haze, unlike in Singapore, though he did confirm that the haze had originated in Indonesia.

Adding insult to injury, one spokesman even said: 'It has been only a week of smoke but people are already making so much noise. What about all the oxygen that (Indonesia) supplies to them during the rest of the year?'

Indonesia is blessed with vast natural resources, including its rainforests. Being endowed with such resources requires Indonesians to behave as responsible stewards on behalf of all humanity. They must safeguard their rainforests, in particular, not burn them at will.

To be fair, Jakarta has taken some steps towards curbing the problem. There are fewer hot spots reported in recent years compared to a decade ago. Tougher laws were put in place last year against illegal fire-starters. Indonesia also leased two Russian firefighting planes to put out the forest fires a few years ago. It is a mammoth task monitoring plantations spread over vast tracts of land. The dense jungle makes accessibility, let alone enforcement, difficult.

Officials say they are leaving the local authorities to enforce the no-burn policy. But the local authorities lack the resources to deal with the problem.

The central government cannot be let off the hook. Not when its inaction is causing health problems and hardship to millions in the region.

Already, irate Singaporeans are wistfully wishing for a change in wind direction so as to blow the haze towards Jakarta, in the hope the Indonesian government will then take the problem more seriously.

But at the end of the day, things will change if, and when, Jakarta realises that it would benefit Indonesia more than it would cost it, to do something.

This is where Asean leaders need to put pressure on Jakarta. Calls for Indonesia to do more are repeated almost every year, to little effect. Some additional censure from the severely affected countries - Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand - is in order. It's difficult to think kindly of the wonders of Asean consensus when a grey pall blocks out the sun, the smell of soot is in the air and even a brisk walk sends you gasping, looking for shelter indoors.

The international community can also step in to apply pressure, since forest burning clearly contributes to climate change. When the haze issue was raised by Singapore at the UN General Assembly meeting in 2006, Indonesian officials took offence and said it was an attempt to embarrass Indonesia in front of the world. Its Industry Minister boycotted a joint economic development meeting with Singapore in protest.

Indonesia is the linchpin of Asean. Its neighbours, including Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, acknowledge that. But being primus inter pares also entails responsibility. If Jakarta values its ties with its neighbours, as much as they do with it, then it should show both Asean and the international community that it has the political heft to act on the haze.

That would provide the only glimmer of sunshine in this grey pall.