Singapore's western region not in unhealthy, very unhealthy PSI range for first time since Oct 5

On the 18th day after air quality first entered the unhealthy and very unhealthy ranges in western Singapore, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) there has finally returned to the good-to-moderate range.

Amid a spike in the number of hotspots — from 175 to 522 — in Kalimantan on Oct 4, Singapore has been recording PSI in the unhealthy to very unhealthy ranges since Oct 5.

And while hourly PM2.5 and PSI readings began improving in parts of the country from Oct 18, the western region continued to be an outlier due to the prevailing winds that brought in smoke haze from southern Sumatra.

The highest 24-hour PSI reading this haze season was 230 in the western region, recorded at 10am and 11am on Oct 18.

At 3pm on Thursday (Oct 22), the western PSI reading was in the moderate range (99), while its hourly PM2.5 readings was in the normal band  (39µg/m3).

Elsewhere, hourly concentration readings have been in the normal band since midnight. PSI readings in these regions were in the moderate range.

Smoke haze may still affect Singapore 

In its daily haze situation update on Wednesday evening, the National Environment Agency (NEA) cautioned that smoke haze may still hit Singapore on Thursday and Friday.

It pointed out that while showers are forecast over Singapore and the surrounding region, dry conditions are again expected over the southern parts of Kalimantan.

This, coupled with the prevailing east-southeasterly or south-easterly winds, means that smoke haze from fires in Kalimantan may be transported towards Singapore — with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) forecast to be between 101 and 160 — in the unhealthy range.

The situation is forecast to persist into Friday.

Members of the public should check the latest concentration readings before participating in any outdoor activities.

Second wave of N95 haze mask distribution

On Thursday, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu also announced that a second wave of mask distribution will begin on Friday, expanding eligibility to Singaporeans aged 60 and above.

They will be able to collect a second pack of two masks from community clubs (CCs) or mask vending machines from Oct 23.

Those eligible in the first wave, but have yet to collect their masks, can now collect four masks at any CC.

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