Haze update for Sept 10: 24-hour PSI in central region remains in unhealthy range

The 24-hour Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) for Singapore is forecast to remain in the high moderate to low unhealthy range, said the National Environment Agency in its daily update on Thursday (Sept 10) evening.

Air quality in Singapore's central region re-entered the unhealthy range at about 11pm on Wednesday night, and continued through Thursday.

As at 6pm, the 24-hour PSI reading was 104 in the central region.

Over the same period, 24-hour PSI readings have remained in the moderate range for the northern, eastern, southern, and western regions. 

Meanwhile, 1-hour PM2.5 readings for the central region have been elevated since 2pm, while readings in the four other regions are in the normal range at 6pm.

Readings of between 56 to 150 denote the elevated range.

Explaining this, NEA said that moderate to dense smoke plumes continue to be detected from fires in southern Sumatra and Kalimantan.

It added that smoke plumes from southern Sumatra were also observed to be drifting towards Singapore.

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.

Those who are planning to conduct or participate in outdoor activities immediately can check the 1-hour PM2.5 concentration readings and vulnerable persons guide.

Meanwhile, those who are planning outdoor activities for the next day should use the 24-hour PSI forecast and the corresponding health advisories for planning.

What to do when air quality is unhealthy

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.

[[nid:743469]]

[email protected]