ZOAHARIAN.COM - Singapore is again facing the threat of transboundary haze due to forest and land fires in Indonesia. Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) issued an air quality warning after a number of areas of the country were categorized as unhealthy on Saturday (5/9).

Quoting the Channel News Asia report, air quality conditions have worsened in several areas of Singapore. At 06.00 local time, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) in the western region was recorded at 103, while the eastern region reached 102. Both are in the unhealthy category.

Entering 19.00, conditions in the western and eastern regions began to improve. The PSI fell to 91 and 83 respectively. However, the central region actually experienced an increase to reach 103, which again places it in the unhealthy category.

Meanwhile, the northern and southern regions are still in the medium category, with a PSI of 78 and 79 respectively.

First Time Since October 2023

The 24-hour PSI in Singapore has entered the unhealthy category since Friday morning. This condition is of concern because it is the first time PSI has penetrated this level since October 8 2023.

This situation prompted the NEA to start issuing daily haze alerts since Friday. The warning is equipped with a 24-hour PSI forecast to help people determine their activities and activities for the next day.

NEA estimates that Singapore still has the potential to be affected by transboundary haze if fires in Indonesia continue.

Air quality in the next 24 hours is estimated to be around the upper limit of the moderate category to the lower limit of the unhealthy category.

Smoke from Sumatra and Kalimantan Carried by the Wind

Relatively dry weather conditions also increase the potential for smoke to spread. On Saturday, most areas around Singapore were reported to still be in dry conditions.

Plumes of smoke with moderate to dense intensity were seen in a number of areas of southern and central Sumatra as well as various areas in Kalimantan. The smoke was then carried by the wind towards Singapore.

NEA predicts dry conditions will persist in Singapore and the surrounding region in the coming days. The dominant winds are expected to blow from the southeast or south, which could influence the movement of smoke across borders.

PSI is a benchmark for air quality

The 24-hour PSI is a daily air quality indicator used by Singapore and is one of the bases for issuing health warnings by the NEA.

The index is calculated based on six main types of pollutants, namely PM2.5, PM10, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide.

Specifically for PM2.5, these particles are a major concern during periods of haze because they are very small, namely <2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter, so they can enter deep into the respiratory system.

In contrast to 24-hour PSI which describes the average air quality over the last 24 hours, PM2.5 readings for one hour indicate the condition of fine particle concentrations at a certain time.

In Singapore's PSI classification, the numbers 101-200 are in the unhealthy category. Meanwhile, PSI 201-300 is categorized as very unhealthy and numbers above 300 are in the dangerous category.

The public is asked to be alert

In a previous joint press release issued on behalf of the agencies in the Haze Task Force (HTF), the NEA stated that various task force members had implemented action plans and issued their respective advisories to protect the health and welfare of the community.

The NEA's daily haze warnings will also include a 24-hour PSI forecast. The public can use this information as a consideration before carrying out outdoor activities during the next 24 hours.

This condition also shows how forest and land fires in Indonesia can have cross-border impacts, especially when dry weather conditions and wind direction support the movement of smoke towards neighboring countries.

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