PUBLISHED ONSeptember 10, 2026 12:40 AMBYSean LerAir quality in Singapore has slipped back to the unhealthy range again.
After recording four days of moderate air quality, 24-hour Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) hit 102 in the central region at 11pm on Wednesday (Sept 9), and has continued into Thursday morning.
At that time, 1-hour PM2.5 in both the central and western regions also reached the elevated range — at 83 and 57 respectively. Readings between 56 and 150 denote the elevated range.
Meanwhile, 24-hour PSI for the central region remains in the unhealthy region at 105 at about 8.40am. It is in the moderate range for all other regions.
1-hour PM2.5 reading is in the normal range for all regions at that time.
In its daily haze update on Wednesday evening, the National Environment Agency (NEA) had said that moderate to dense smoke plumes continue to be detected from fires in southern and central Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Smoke haze was also observed to be drifting towards Singapore, the agency added.
Noting that dry conditions are expected to persist over Kalimantan and southern Sumatra, coupled with the prevailing southerly, south-easterly winds, NEA expects the risk of transboundary smoke haze affecting Singapore to remain — should the fires persist.
Based on the 24-hour-PSI forecast on Wednesday, healthy persons can continue with normal activities if PSI remains in the moderate range.
However, they should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion if PSI crosses into the unhealthy range.
Elderly persons, pregnant women and children can also continue with normal activities if the PSI remains in the moderate range.
They should minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion if the PSI is in the unhealthy range.
Those with chronic lung or heart disease may similarly continue with normal activities when the PSI is moderate.
But they should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion if the PSI reading crosses into the unhealthy range.
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