N95 mask distribution begins for vulnerable Singaporeans as PM2.5 enters 'very high' range

The Government has begun the phased distribution of N95 masks to vulnerable Singaporeans after PM2.5 levels entered the Very High range and amid the possibility that Singapore's 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) could reach the Very Unhealthy range.

In a haze situation update on Wednesday (Oct 14), the National Environment Agency (NEA) said one-hour PM2.5 concentration readings were between 139 and 251 μg/m3 as at 4pm, ranging from the Elevated to Very High bands.

"N95 masks will be made available progressively at the designated collection points and may not be immediately available at all locations," the agency said in its daily haze situation update.

It added that vending machines are being progressively deployed across the island from this evening. "Stocks at all collection points will be replenished progressively and regularly."

The Haze Task Force, comprising NEA and 28 Government agencies, had on Oct 9 announced that mask vending machines will be made available at selected public transport hubs and social services offices.

Those from the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation; holders of the Community Health Assistance Scheme (CHAS) Blue and Orange cards and Medical Fee Exemption Cards (MFEC); and recipients of ComCare Assistance are eligible to collect their masks at Community Clubs or designated vending machines located at selected public transport hubs, Social Service Offices and People's Association venues.

In addition, pregnant women, children between the ages of seven and 16, and those with medical conditions such as asthma may collect their masks at Community Clubs.

Members of the public can use the HazeMaskGoWhere microsite for more information on the eligibility criteria, collection locations and live updates on mask availability at the vending machines.

Each eligible person may collect one pack containing two N95 masks. Family members or friends may collect the masks on their behalf using the eligible person's NRIC.

NEA also said dense smoke haze from fires in Kalimantan was observed drifting towards Singapore under prevailing southeasterly winds, while smoke haze was also observed over Sumatra.

With the haze expected to continue affecting Singapore overnight and on Thursday, the 24-hour PSI is forecast to be in the Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy range.

N95 availability, who should wear?

Pre-empting the increased demand that may lead to N95 masks being temporarily unavailable at some retail outlets, NEA also assured members of the public that there are sufficient stocks of masks in retailers' warehouses and government stockpiles.

"As part of ongoing haze preparedness efforts, the Haze Task Force (HTF) is working closely with retailers to replenish stocks and ensure the availability of N95 masks to the public."

Meanwhile, reducing outdoor activities and physical exertion can help limit the ill effects from haze exposure.

Healthy individuals who need to be outdoors for several hours when the forecast air quality is in the hazardous range (PSI >300) may reduce exposure by wearing an N95 mask with a good fit.

Vulnerable persons such as the elderly, pregnant women and individuals with chronic heart or lung disease may wear an N95 mask to reduce exposure when the air quality forecast is in the Very Unhealthy range (PSI >200) and if they must be outdoors for several hours.

However, the elderly, pregnant women and those with severe lung or heart problems who have difficulty breathing at rest or on exertion should consult their doctor before using an N95 mask. Any person who feels discomfort when using an N95 mask should take a break from using the mask.

Air-conditioned rooms in the People's Association's community clubs and selected Residents' Committee (RC) and Residents' Network (RN) centres are being set up as haze shelters.

Members of the public can seek respite from the haze at these shelters.

They may contact their nearest community clubs on the operating hours and location of such shelters.

Should the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) enter the hazardous range, these haze shelters will open till 10pm.

在 PM2.5 浓度达到“非常高”级别，且新加坡 24 小时污染物标准指数 (PSI) 有可能达到“非常不健康”级别的情况下，政府已开始分阶段向弱势新加坡人分发 N95 口罩。

在周三（10 月 14 日）发布的雾霾情况更新中，国家环境局 (NEA) 表示，截至下午 4 点，一小时 PM2.5 浓度读数在 139 至 251 μg/m3 之间，介于高浓度至极高浓度之间。

该机构在其每日雾霾情况通报中表示：“N95口罩将逐步在指定的领取点提供，但并非所有地点都能立即提供。”

声明还补充说，从今晚开始，自动售货机将逐步在全岛各地投放。“所有领取点的库存将逐步且定期补充。”

由国家环境局和 28 个政府机构组成的雾霾应对小组于 10 月 9 日宣布，将在指定的公共交通枢纽和社会服务办公室提供口罩自动售货机。

建国一代和独立一代人士；持有社区健康援助计划（CHAS）蓝卡和橙卡以及医疗费用豁免卡（MFEC）的人士；以及社区关怀援助的受益人，均可在民众俱乐部或指定公共交通枢纽、社会服务办事处和人民协会场所的指定自动售货机领取口罩。

此外，孕妇、7至16岁的儿童以及患有哮喘等疾病的人可以在社区俱乐部领取口罩。

公众可以使用 HazeMaskGoWhere 微型网站获取有关资格标准、领取地点以及自动售货机口罩供应情况的实时更新等更多信息。

每位符合资格的人士可领取一包内含两只N95口罩的口罩。家人或朋友可使用符合资格人士的身份证代为领取。

新加坡国家环境局还表示，加里曼丹岛火灾产生的浓烟在盛行的东南风作用下向新加坡飘去，同时苏门答腊岛上空也出现了烟霾。

预计雾霾将持续影响新加坡，直至周四，24 小时空气污染指数预计将处于不健康至非常不健康水平。

N95口罩供应情况如何？哪些人应该佩戴？

为避免N95口罩需求增加导致部分零售店暂时缺货，新加坡国家环境局（NEA）也向公众保证，零售商仓库和政府储备中口罩库存充足。

“作为持续开展的雾霾防范工作的一部分，雾霾工作组（HTF）正与零售商密切合作，补充库存，确保公众能够获得N95口罩。”

同时，减少户外活动和体力消耗有助于减轻雾霾带来的不良影响。

对于需要在户外待几个小时的健康人士，如果预报空气质量处于危险范围（PSI > 300），则可以通过佩戴贴合良好的 N95 口罩来减少暴露。

当空气质量预报处于非常不健康范围（PSI > 200）且必须在户外待几个小时时，老年人、孕妇和患有慢性心脏病或肺病的人等弱势群体可以佩戴 N95 口罩以减少暴露。

然而，老年人、孕妇以及患有严重肺部或心脏疾病、在休息或运动时呼吸困难的人，在使用N95口罩前应咨询医生。任何在使用N95口罩时感到不适的人都应暂停使用。

人民协会社区俱乐部和部分居民委员会（RC）和居民网络（RN）中心的空调房间正在被设立为雾霾避难所。

公众可以在这些避难所躲避雾霾。

他们可以联系离自己最近的社区俱乐部，了解此类庇护所的开放时间和地点。

如果 24 小时污染物标准指数 (PSI) 进入危险范围，这些雾霾避难所将开放至晚上 10 点。