A hazy start to the week: 3-hr PSI crosses 'unhealthy' range at 8am

Channel NewsAsia 20 Oct 14;

SINGAPORE: Hazy conditions continued throughout the night into the early morning on Monday (Oct 20), with the 3-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading crossing into the ‘unhealthy’ range at 8am at 106.

According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), the hazy conditions hovered in the high-end of the ‘moderate’ range throughout the night with the lowest point at 65 at 1am and 2am.

Singapore's PSI peaks at 113 on Sunday
Alice Chia Channel NewsAsia 20 Oct 14;

SINGAPORE: The haze returned to Singapore on Sunday (Oct 19), as the three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) crossed over to the unhealthy range at 11am with a reading of 104. It climbed to a high of 113 at 3pm before dropping to 70 at 9pm.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said the haze was likely due to smoke from Sumatra, blown in by prevailing winds. It said there were 14 hotspots detected on Sunday in Sumatra, and 126 in Kalimantan. It said the low hotspot count for Sumatra was due to partial satellite coverage and cloud cover.

NEA added that hazy conditions are expected to persist overnight. For Monday, light prevailing winds are expected and there may be occasional haze. Thundery showers are expected in the late morning and early afternoon.

The 24-hour PSI is likely to hover between the high end of the moderate range and the low end of the unhealthy range. The agency advised healthy people to reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion.

The elderly, pregnant women and children should minimise such activities, while those with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid such activities.

Those who are not feeling well, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention.
- CNA/ir

3-hour PSI reading reaches unhealthy range with 113
Today Online 20 Oct 14;

SINGAPORE — After a brief respite last night the haze has returned in force this morning (Oct 20), with the three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading hitting 113 as of 9am, a figure in the unhealthy range.

Air quality had been gradually deteriorating since 1am this morning, culminating in the current high, according to National Environment Agency figures.

The 24-hour PSI for today is expected to remain in the high end of the moderate range and the low end of the unhealthy range. The three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading was over 100 for a good part of yesterday afternoon, reaching a peak of 113 at 3pm.

Any reading over 100 up to 200 is considered in the unhealthy range. The elderly, pregnant women and children are advised to minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion, while those with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid such exertion altogether.

Haze returns, with PSI crossing over to unhealthy range
Channel NewsAsia 19 Oct 14;

SINGAPORE: The haze returned on Sunday (Oct 19), likely due to smoke haze from Sumatra.

The three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) crossed over to the unhealthy range at 11am - with a reading of 104. It climbed to 106 at 12pm, and 110 at 1pm.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) expects the haze to stay for the rest of Sunday, with the overall 24 hour PSI likely to hover in the high end of the moderate range and the low end of the unhealthy range.

It said conditions may improve, as thundery showers are expected in the afternoon.
- CNA/by

3-hour PSI hits high of 113 at 3pm
Today Online 19 Oct 14;

SINGAPORE — Singapore’s three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hit 113 today (Oct 19) as of 3pm, in the unhealthy range.

Air quality gradually deteriorated over last night and this morning, leading to the peak at 3pm. Since then, the number has eased to 75 as at 8pm.

The National Environment Agency’s (NEA) daily haze situation update as of noon today states that haziness is expected to persist in the high end of the moderate range and low end of the unhealthy range for the rest of the day, with conditions "likely due to smoke haze from Sumatra, blown in by the prevailing winds".

Thundery showers are forecast in the afternoon for Singapore, and this may provide some relief from the hazy conditions.

A PSI reading of 101 to 200 falls within the unhealthy range, while a 51 to 100 reading is considered moderate.

The health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity. Reducing outdoor activities and physical exertion can help limit the ill effects from haze exposure.

Given the air quality forecast for the next 24 hours, the NEA said healthy persons should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. The elderly, pregnant women and children should minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion, while those with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. Persons who are not feeling well, especially the elderly and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention.

Three-hour PSI reaches 113 at 9am, eases in the afternoon
Today Online 20 Oct 14;

SINGAPORE — There may be occasional slight haze tomorrow (Oct 21), the National Environmental Agency (NEA) said, as hazy conditions experienced yesterday eased at around noon today.

The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) is expected to be in the high-end of the moderate range and low-end of the unhealthy range, said the NEA. Thundery showers are expected in the late morning and early afternoon.

Today, smoke haze was visible in eastern Kalimantan and southern Sumatra. The total number of hotspots detected in Sumatra and Kalimantan today was 48 and 171 respectively.

The three-hour PSI peaked at 113 at 9am, and based on the three-hour PSI reading, air quality was unhealthy between 8am and 11am.

Given the air quality forecast for the next 24 hours, the NEA advised healthy people to reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion.

The elderly, pregnant women and children should minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion, while those with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. Persons who are not feeling well, especially the elderly and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention.