Air quality in Singapore's central region enters unhealthy range, 24-hour PSI reading hits 103

Air quality in Singapore’s central region entered the unhealthy range on Friday (Sept 4) morning, recording a 24-hour Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) reading of 103.

The unhealthy band is from 101 to 200.

This is the first time since October 2023 that PSI readings entered the unhealthy range due to haze.

Data from the National Environment Agency (NEA) shows readings in other regions remaining in the moderate range.

The next highest readings were recorded in the western and eastern regions, at 88 and 87 respectively.

At the northern and southern regions, 24-hour PSI stood at 77 and 75

Meanwhile, 1-hour PM2.5 readings are within the normal range in most regions, except at the central and eastern regions, where elevated readings of 64 and 57 were recorded at 8am.

An elevated reading occurs when 1-hour PM2.5 is within the range of 56 and 150.

According to NEA's health advisory on outdoor activities during haze, members of the public should consider reducing strenuous outdoor activities for the next hour when 1-hour PM2.5 readings are in this range.

Vulnerable persons, including the elderly, pregnant women, children, and persons with chronic lung disease or heart disease, should avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

Singapore may experience hazy conditions

In a fortnightly weather forecast published on Sept 1, MSS said it has observed an escalation in the hotspot and smoke haze situation.

It noted that dense smoke haze was observed over southern and central Sumatra and various parts of Kalimantan on most days since around Aug 21.

"Under the prevailing south-easterly or south-westerly winds, Singapore may experience hazy conditions should the fires intensify," the agency cautioned.

The National Environment Agency will provide daily haze advisories should the 24-hour Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) in Singapore cross into the "Unhealthy" range.

新加坡中部地区的空气质量在周五（9月4日）上午进入不健康范围，24小时污染物标准指数（PSI）读数为103。

不健康的范围是 101 到 200。

这是自 2023 年 10 月以来，由于雾霾，PSI 读数首次进入不健康范围。

国家环境局（NEA）的数据显示，其他地区的读数仍处于中等水平。

其次较高的读数出现在西部和东部地区，分别为 88 和 87。

北部和南部地区的24小时PSI值分别为77和75。

与此同时，除中部和东部地区外，大多数地区的 1 小时 PM2.5 读数均在正常范围内，而中部和东部地区在上午 8 点记录到的读数分别为 64 和 57。

当 1 小时 PM2.5 值在 56 到 150 之间时，读数就会升高。

根据新加坡国家环境局 (NEA) 发布的雾霾期间户外活动健康建议，当 1 小时 PM2.5 读数处于此范围内时，公众应考虑在接下来的一个小时内减少剧烈的户外活动。

老年人、孕妇、儿童以及患有慢性肺病或心脏病的弱势群体应避免进行剧烈的户外活动。

新加坡可能会出现雾霾天气

在9月1日发布的双周天气预报中，MSS表示，已观察到热点地区和烟雾情况升级。

报告指出，自 8 月 21 日左右以来，苏门答腊南部和中部以及加里曼丹岛多个地区大部分时间都出现了浓重的烟雾。

“在盛行的东南风或西南风的影响下，如果火势加剧，新加坡可能会出现雾霾天气，”该机构警告说。

如果新加坡的 24 小时污染物标准指数 (PSI) 进入“不健康”范围，国家环境局将提供每日雾霾预警。