Haze watch: Air quality in Singapore improves, PSI back to moderate level

Residents in Singapore woke up to improved air quality on Monday (Sept 28) as the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) fell back to the moderate range on Sunday night.

Moderate to heavy thundery showers throughout most of Sunday afternoon helped keep the haze at bay, with western, eastern and central Singapore exiting the unhealthy range at 3pm, 8pm and 11pm respectively.

At 8am, PSI ranged from 62 to 77 — in the moderate range — with central Singapore recording the highest reading of 77.

Meanwhile, one-hour PM2.5 is in the normal band across all five regions.

Haze and weather forecast

In its daily haze situation update on Sunday, the National Environment Agency (NEA) had forecast the country's 24-hour PSI to be in the moderate to low-unhealthy band.

This, despite, a forecast of thundery showers over the northern, eastern and western parts of Singapore on Sunday afternoon.

Explaining why, NEA said this is due to the prevailing east-southeast or south-easterly winds, which it noted could bring smoke plumes from Kalimantan and southern Sumatra to Singapore.

"There could be a risk of smoke haze," the agency added.

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.

They can check the one-hour PM2.5 concentration reading before participating in any immediate outdoor activities.

周一（9月28日），新加坡居民醒来发现空气质量有所改善，因为24小时污染物标准指数（PSI）在周日晚间回落至中等水平。

周日下午大部分时间的中到大雷阵雨帮助控制了雾霾，新加坡西部、东部和中部分别于下午 3 点、晚上 8 点和晚上 11 点脱离了不健康范围。

上午 8 点，PSI 指数在 62 到 77 之间，属于中等范围，其中新加坡中部地区读数最高，为 77。

与此同时，五个地区的PM2.5一小时浓度均处于正常范围内。

雾霾和天气预报

国家环境局 (NEA) 在周日发布的每日雾霾情况更新中预测，该国 24 小时空气污染指数 (PSI) 将处于中度至轻度不健康水平。

尽管预报显示周日下午新加坡北部、东部和西部地区将有雷阵雨。

新加坡国家环境局解释说，这是由于盛行的东南偏东风或东南风造成的，该机构指出，这种风可能会将加里曼丹和苏门答腊南部的烟雾带到新加坡。

该机构补充说：“可能会出现烟雾风险。”

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。

他们可以在参加任何户外活动之前查看一小时 PM2.5 浓度读数。