1-hour PM2.5 in central Singapore hits 107, air quality inching towards unhealthy range

The Republic's air quality is inching closer to unhealthy levels again on Monday (Sept 14) morning.

At 9.30am, the 24-hour Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) was between 73 and 92, within the moderate range, with the highest reading of 92 recorded in central Singapore.

A reading of between 101 to 200 denotes the unhealthy range.

Meanwhile, one-hour PM.25 at that time — an indicator of fine micro-pollutants in the air — was recorded at 107 in the central region.

The eastern, western and southern regions also recorded elevated one-hour PM2.5 readings of 85, 81 and 71 respectively.

This is also the first instance since Sept 4 that one-hour PM2.5 readings have crossed the mid-range mark. Readings of between 56 and 150 indicate the elevated range.

What to do when air quality is unhealthy

Members of the public should note that the health impact of haze is dependent on one's health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity.

Those who are planning to conduct or participate in outdoor activities immediately can check the 1-hour PM2.5 concentration readings and vulnerable persons guide.

Meanwhile, those who are planning outdoor activities for the next day should use the 24-hour PSI forecast and the corresponding health advisories for planning.

Healthy persons can continue with normal activities if PSI remains in the moderate range.

However, they should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion if PSI crosses into the unhealthy range.

Elderly persons, pregnant women and children can also continue with normal activities if the PSI remains in the moderate range.

They should minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion if the PSI is in the unhealthy range.

Those with chronic lung or heart disease may similarly continue with normal activities when the PSI is moderate.

But they should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion if the PSI reading crosses into the unhealthy range.

周一（9月14日）上午，共和国的空气质量再次逼近不健康水平。

上午 9 点 30 分，24 小时污染物标准指数 (PSI) 在 73 到 92 之间，处于中等范围，其中新加坡中部记录到的最高读数为 92。

读数在 101 到 200 之间表示不健康。

与此同时，当时中部地区的一小时 PM25 浓度（空气中细小微污染物的指标）记录为 107。

东部、西部和南部地区一小时 PM2.5 读数也分别升高至 85、81 和 71。

这也是自9月4日以来，一小时PM2.5读数首次超过中等水平。读数在56至150之间表示PM2.5浓度处于偏高范围。

空气质量不健康时该怎么办？

公众应注意，雾霾对健康的影响取决于个人的健康状况、PSI 值以及户外活动的持续时间和强度。

计划立即进行或参与户外活动的人员可以查看 1 小时 PM2.5 浓度读数和易感人群指南。

同时，计划第二天进行户外活动的人们应该参考 24 小时 PSI 预报和相应的健康建议进行规划。

如果 PSI 保持在中等范围内，健康人可以继续进行正常活动。

但是，如果 PSI 值超过健康范围，他们应该减少长时间或剧烈的户外体力活动。

如果 PSI 保持在中等范围内，老年人、孕妇和儿童也可以继续进行正常的活动。

如果 PSI 值处于不健康范围，则应尽量减少长时间或剧烈的户外体力活动。

同样，当 PSI 处于中等水平时，患有慢性肺病或心脏病的人也可以继续进行正常的活动。

但如果 PSI 读数超过健康范围，则应避免长时间或剧烈的户外体力活动。