Hazardous Haze Arrived

Friday, 21st June 2013

Singapore is hit by smoky air and hazy skies with a strong burning smell. The smoke haze from the fires in Sumatra started about a week back and hit an all time high of 401 PSI (Pollutant Standards Index) at 12pm. The Singapore Environment Ministry said in a statement that 180 hotspots were detected over Sumatra in Indonesia on Tuesday (18 June 2013) which lead to the "bad haze" in Singapore carried over by the monsoon winds. Outlets selling 3M's N95 Particle Respirator Mask were doing a roaring business and a firm selling air purifier posted a full page advertisement in national newspaper.The PSI reading surpassing October 2006's peak reading of 150 and September' 1997 which was 226 PSI.

Southwest Monsoon conditions have onset over the region since the beginning of the week, with low level winds blowing predominantly from the southeast or southwest. The Southwest Monsoon season typically last from June to September.

Singapore Air quality based on PSI is as follows: 0 to 50 Good, 51 to 100 Moderate, 101 to 200 Unhealthy, 201 to 300 Very Unhealthy and Above 300 Hazardous.

masked diner
Photo Credit: Flickr.

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