Indonesia fires bring haze to Singapore

Air quality still in healthy range; hazy condition to continue over weekend
Lim Yi Han And Feng Zengkun Straits Times 20 Apr 13;

THE hazy skies and burning smell in the air across many parts of Singapore yesterday were caused by fires in Indonesia, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has said.

It added that some haze can be expected for the rest of the week, and it is monitoring the situation.

Even so, the air quality here remains healthy, according to the latest Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings at 4pm yesterday.

The index ranged from 28 to 43 across the island, within the "good" category. Air becomes unhealthy only when the index crosses 100.

Most people did not notice the haze until yesterday morning. Members of the public told The Straits Times there was a burning smell even indoors.

Undergraduate Kenneth Goh, 25, who lives in Tanjong Pagar, said: "I was by my window at home and I could smell it. The sky also looked gloomy and the view of the buildings around was quite blur."

Yesterday's daily PSI readings were an average of the previous 24 hours. That means the reading could have been worse at different times yesterday. In the past, when the haze was worse, the NEA issued a three-hour reading.

Earlier this month, Singapore also experienced haze because of hot spots in Myanmar, Thailand and Laos, which were experiencing their traditional dry season.

This time, fires in Sumatra were to blame. The haze and smell were brought here by prevailing winds blowing from the south-west and west, said the NEA. Sumatra is located about 400km south-west of Singapore.

According to the Meteorological Service Singapore website, the number of hot spots in Sumatra spiked from fewer than 20 on Sunday to about 130 on Monday, although the figure has since fallen.

Fires in Indonesia are typically caused by the dry season from June to September, and farmers and logging companies clearing land using fire.

But Indonesian news reports last month quoted a government spokesman as saying that this year's dry season could begin as early as this month.

People with lung or heart conditions, children and the elderly should reduce or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise when there is haze, the NEA said.

Hazy conditions to continue: NEA
Woo Sian Boon Today Online 20 Apr 13;

SINGAPORE — Expect hazy conditions over Singapore and a burning smell to linger in the air for a few more days. According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), the haze and burning smell that hung over Singapore yesterday are from fires in Indonesia’s Sumatra, which are brought over by prevailing winds blowing from the south-west or western direction.

It added that hazy conditions are “expected occasionally over this period” as satellite images have shown smoke plumes, originating from hot spots in Riau province, being blown towards Singapore. The winds are forecasted to occasionally blow from the south-west or western direction “for the next few days”, said the NEA. At least 15 callers to the MediaCorp News Hotline reported poor visibility and a burning smell across many parts of the island, such as West Coast, Yishun, Toa Payoh, Punggol and Pasir Ris.

Despite these reports, the overall Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings across the island ranged between 28 and 43 as at 4pm yesterday — falling into the “good” range. A reading below 50 is classified as “good”, higher than 50 is “moderate” and anything higher than 100 is “unhealthy”. The level of PM2.5, or very fine particulate matter, was between 20 to 30 micrograms per cubic metre, yesterday.

Singapore’s air quality was generally good for the first three months of this year, with the PSI reading just crossing over into the “moderate” range on March 27, when it reached 53.

Several residents TODAY spoke to experienced sinus problems due to the poor air quality.

Mr Siah H D, 25, who is self-employed and works in an outdoor environment, said: “Several of my colleagues started coughing, while my nose is running a marathon.”

Student Tan Jie Ying, 24, who experienced sinus problems and dry eyes, was confused between the “good” PSI readings as opposed to the hazy conditions she experienced in her Punggol-area home. She questioned: “How can the numbers fall within the good range when it is so smoggy and there is an obvious burning smell in the air?”

The PSI readings reflected on the NEA’s website are based on 24-hour readings, which are updated at 8am, 12pm and 4pm daily. The NEA said it is monitoring the situation closely and will provide further updates when necessary. Woo Sian Boon