Singapore haze: PSI reading still in moderate range

Claire Huang Channel NewsAsia 28 Aug 12;

SINGAPORE: The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading is in the moderate range at 59, as of 4pm on Tuesday.

In recent days, Singapore's air quality has dipped, with the PSI slipping from good to moderate in parts of the island.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said Singapore is currently in the Southwest Monsoon season, which typically lasts from June to September or early October.

It's the traditional dry season for the southern ASEAN region.

NEA said an escalation of hotspot activities in Sumatra and Borneo can be expected during extended periods of dry weather.

And this can lead to transboundary smoke haze in the region.

The impact of the smoke haze on Singapore is dependent on factors such as the proximity and extent of the fires, the strength and direction of the prevailing winds, and the incidence and amount of rain.

The PSI reading is updated daily at 8am, noon and 4pm.

- CNA/cc

PSI at noon is 60, in the moderate range
Channel NewsAsia 28 Aug 12;

SINGAPORE: The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading on Tuesday at noon is 60, in the moderate range.

On Monday, Singapore's air quality worsened slightly, with the PSI slipping from good to moderate in parts of the island. The PSI reading was between 33 and 53.

On 25 August, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said Singapore is currently in the Southwest Monsoon season.

The Southwest Monsoon season, which typically lasts from June to September or early October, is the traditional dry season for the southern ASEAN region.

During this season, the prevailing winds blow predominantly from the southeast or southwest.

NEA added that periods of dry weather, interspersed with occasional thundery showers in the afternoon and "Sumatra" squalls in the predawn and early morning, are common.

It said an escalation of hotspot activities in Sumatra and Borneo could be expected during extended periods of dry weather. This could lead to transboundary smoke haze in the region.

The impact of the smoke haze on Singapore is dependent on factors such as the proximity and extent of the fires, the strength and direction of the prevailing winds and the incidence and amount of rain.

The PSI reading will be updated daily at 8am, noon and 4pm.

- CNA/xq

Moderate haze spreads islandwide
Straits Times 29 Aug 12;

HAZY skies, confined to northern Singapore on Monday, spread across the island yesterday.

As of 4pm yesterday, the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings ranged from 51 to 59, in the "moderate" range.

Readings of 50 and below are "good", and readings over 100 are "unhealthy".

The north, which registered a high of 53 on the PSI on Monday, went up by five points to 58 yesterday. The eastern part of Singapore was the worst hit. It recorded a high of 59 on the PSI.

The National Environment Agency's (NEA) response to media queries on Monday attributed the polluted skies to south-westerly winds carrying smoke from forest fire hot spots in Sumatra.

In a health advisory on its website, the NEA urged children, the elderly, and those with heart or lung diseases not to engage in prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

Dr Koh Sek Khoon, 50, from Toa Payoh Clinic and Surgery, said that "the full force of the haze" had yet to be felt.

If the haze worsened, he said, doctors would likely see a spike in patients.

DAVID EE