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Singapore haze: Air quality unhealthy across country; PM2.5 readings elevated in two regions

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The Singapore haze has worsened, with poor air quality across the country, PM2.5 readings elevated in two regions, and the 24-hour PSI forecast predicting a transition from good to moderate to unhealthy conditions for Sunday. Winds from the southwest or west are expected to limit haze transport, and showers are anticipated to improve conditions.

Key points

  • The haze is expected to improve with showers over the region.: The haze is expected to improve with showers over the region.
  • The public is advised to monitor the 24-hour PSI forecast and check hourly PM2.5 readings.: The public is advised to monitor the 24-hour PSI forecast and check hourly PM2.5 readings.
  • Winds from the southwest or west are expected to limit haze transport to Singapore.: Winds from the southwest or west are expected to limit haze transport to Singapore.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

At 7am, the 24-hour PSI readings ranged from 104 to 140, while hourly the PM2.5 readings ranged from 44 to 62.

SINGAPORE: Air quality remained unhealthy across Singapore on Sunday (Oct 25), with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings ranging from 104 to 140 at 7am.

Hourly PM2.5 readings, meanwhile, were elevated in the east and west, standing at 61 and 62, respectively. Readings in the other regions were in the normal band, ranging from 44 to 55.

In its evening advisory on Saturday, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said the 24-hour PSI for Sunday was expected to range from 80 to 130, spanning the good to moderate and unhealthy bands.

"Winds are expected to blow from the southwest or west, which could limit transport of smoke haze to Singapore," the agency said, adding that expected showers over Singapore and the surrounding region could help with haze conditions.

The winds are expected to continue blowing from the southwest or west on Monday and Tuesday.

"With showers expected over Singapore and the vicinity, the haze situation is likely to improve," said NEA.

NEA has advised the public to refer to the 24-hour PSI forecast when planning outdoor activities and to check the latest 1-hour PM2.5 readings before undertaking immediate outdoor activities.

When hourly PM2.5 concentrations are in the elevated band, healthy individuals should reduce strenuous outdoor activities for the next hour.

Vulnerable groups, including children, elderly people, pregnant women and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should avoid strenuous outdoor activities during that period.

For Sunday, NEA advised healthy individuals to reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion, while elderly people, pregnant women and children should minimise such activities.

People with chronic heart or lung disease should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion.

Original source: www.channelnewsasia.com

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