At times, the API in Indonesia has reached as high as 1,000, with visibility falling below 100 meters. Intense forest fires have raged across the Indonesian regions of Sumatra and Kalimantan in recent weeks. Previously, they saw no cases or only one a day. As many as 42 properties have been sealed off, the Antara news agency reported. According to NEA, one-hour PM2.5 readings are a "good indicator of current air quality", and can be used for those deciding whether to go for immediate outdoor activities, such as a jog. Get unlimited access to The Straits Times and more at S$ 0.99/month. Statistics on the environment are compiled by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, National Environment Agency, Public Utilities Board and Singapore Land Authority. Every dry season, smoke from fires to clear land for palm oil and pulp and paper plantations in Indonesia clouds the skies over much of the region, raising concerns about public health and worrying tourist operators and airlines. Malaysian authorities have also urged their Indonesian counterparts to take action and prevent the haze from spreading further, according to Bernama. Indonesia saw massive forest fires and haze during the period July - October 2019. The reprieve from the haze that has blanketed the island comes even as the Republic gears up for the Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix this weekend and Primary 6 pupils prepare for their first Primary School Leaving Examination paper on Friday. Singapore: AQI (US) 37 Good, Realtime broadcasting air quality information on your phone for more than 180 countries. There are four bands on the PM2.5 concentration scale: 0 to 55 for normal, 56 to 150 for elevated, 151 to 250 for high, and very high for readings above 250. Public relations officer Ng Xinyu, 23, said that she had cancelled plans to meet her friends even though she had recovered from a throat infection. The air quality level in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching in Malaysia, Jakarta and Singapore was ranked among the world’s worst, according to IQAir AirVisual pollution data. The CBD as seen from the Helix Bridge at around 4.30pm on Sept 18, 2019. It's an illegal practice, and those found guilty can be fined up to 10 billion rupiah (US$700,000), and management faces up to 10 years in jail -- but burning has continued anyway. Transboundary haze from these fires, particularly from sources in in Sumatra and Kalimantan reached Singapore and Malaysia during September 2019, noticeably worsening measured air quality. They have reminded healthcare institutions, schools and employers to take anti-haze measures such as having air purifiers and reducing outdoor activities should the air quality worsen. Sorry, but your browser needs Javascript to use this site. SINGAPORE - Air quality in Singapore improved on Thursday (Sept 19), but remained unhealthy in some parts of the country. Air quality scientist clears the air. A PSI reading of 101 to 200 is in the unhealthy range, for which the National Environment Agency (NEA) advises the public to cut down on outdoor activities. The NEA said on Tuesday that a government task force that it leads is ready to tackle the impact of haze, and the 24-hour PSI is forecast to range between the high end of the moderate range and the low end of the unhealthy range, depending on wind conditions. By some measures, Singapore’s air quality is terrible – twice the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guideline limits, and worse than Manila’s, according to this report in the Guardian UK on global air pollution. The People’s Association will keep air-conditioned rooms in residents’ committee centres and community clubs open for people if the 24-hour PSI crosses into the very unhealthy range. The view of the Marina Bay area and the Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix race track from the 1-Altitude Rooftop Bar on Sept 18, 2019, around 7pm. But a log-in is still required for our PDFs. As of 7am, the 24-hour PSI reading in the western part of Singapore was 132. Next weekend is the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix road race, a marquee event that draws the world’s attention to the wealthy tourist destination. 198402868E. The NEA said on Wednesday evening that the haze continues to be blown in from southern Sumatra by prevailing winds, and that hazy conditions are expected to persist. Even Beijing, a city notorious for its pollution, measured a "good" level of 50. Local media reported many residents wore face masks and stayed indoors. "We are looking at the reports carefully for now so as to manage possible situations affecting the airspace," she said. The 24-hour Pollution Standards Index, which Singapore’s NEA uses as a benchmark, was in a range of 87-106 in the afternoon. The one-hour PM2.5 reading was 21-36 micrograms per cubic m, within the normal band at 5pm on Thursday. The view of the Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix race track from the 1-Altitude Rooftop Bar on Sept 18, 2019, at around 7pm. Agencies in the government task force that have taken steps to tackle the haze include the Health, Education and Manpower ministries. The Ministry of Education also said this week that all classrooms of primary and secondary schools, MOE kindergartens and special education schools are equipped with air purifiers to ensure students' well-being. For years, fires in Sumatra have caused the rest of Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia to choke under the smog. The environmental office in Songkhla province reported a haze reading of PM2.5 at 54 micrograms per cubic meter of air, exceeding the safe threshold set at 50 in Thailand. More than 930,000 hectares (about 2.3 million acres) of land have been burned, hundreds of residents evacuated, and more than. This was also better than Thursday's high of 93 to 139 micrograms per cubic m in the elevated range at 12am. You have reached your limit of subscriber-only articles this month. Dr Edwin Chng, the healthcare provider’s medical director, said that about 60 per cent of its doctors now see one to five cases of haze-related conditions a day. Nearby, Singapore and Malaysia have both choked in a dense haze all week, with air quality reaching unhealthy levels. Tokyo unveils cutting-edge Olympic swimming venue. “There has been a deterioration in the haze conditions in Singapore this afternoon,” the NEA said in a statement. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG, The view from Block 518B Tampines Central 7 on Sept 18, 2019, at 9.12am. Winds are then carrying this dense, unhealthy smog to neighboring countries like Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore, which are also experiencing high levels of air pollution, said the ASMC. In Thailand, authorities in Songkhla province’s district of Hat Yai have been handing out face masks to residents and tourists, according to the Bangkok Post. Over the next 24 hours, PM2.5 readings are forecast to be between the normal and elevated bands, while the PSI is expected to be between the high end of the moderate and low end of the unhealthy ranges. By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy. Air pollution has many components. Authorities in Indonesia have tried to put a stop to the burning. The issue is not new, but it's persistent. Her throat was painful last Saturday when the PSI hit the unhealthy level for the first time since 2016. In Singapore, the API hit a peak of 151 on Tuesday, with levels largely in the "unhealthy" range all day. The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading was 97-110 at 6pm on Thursday, in the moderate to unhealthy range. Johor’s weekend is Friday and Saturday with Sunday being a normal work day. Singapore's air quality deteriorated to "unhealthy" levels on Saturday for the first time in three years, data from the National Environment Agency showed, ... Sep 12, 2019 … Then came the Covid-19 lockdown, Boris Johnson and Manchester mayor at odds over new restrictions, Thailand police use water cannon vehicle against protesters, Protests continue in Thailand amid government crackdown, Britain has already left the EU but here's what still needs to happen, Angry Thai protesters obstruct royal motorcade, Meghan Markle explains why she is not on social media, Indonesia begins evacuation of infants from haze-affected regions, Indonesian haze: Why it's everyone's problem. It was an improvement from the highest PSI reading of 154 in the southern part of Singapore from 2am to 4am on Thursday, which is around the middle of the unhealthy range. Hot spot activities in Sumatra will probably persist amid the dry conditions here and in Indonesia. It’s very stuffy at home so I have to switch on the fan and air-conditioner, which raises my (electricity) bills.”, - Additional reporting by Toh Yong Chuan, Prisca Ang, Salma Khalik and Clement Yong, SPH Digital News / Copyright © 2020 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn. You can read this subscriber-only article in full, All done! No. F1 bosses have a "contingency plan" and issued warnings to cope with poor air quality at the Singapore Grand Prix. Images on Tuesday show the iconic Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur shrouded in gray smog. (CNN)Malaysian authorities distributed half a million face masks to residents on Tuesday after large-scale forest fires in Indonesia spread smoke and thick smog to neighboring countries.