Singapore 24-hour PSI stays good to moderate in all five regions on Oct 23
PSI readings ranged from 66 to 92 as of 11am, below the 101 to 150 unhealthy range NEA forecast on Thursday evening for Friday.
CNA reported that Singapore's air quality held at a good to moderate level on Friday (Oct 23). Across all five regions, 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) figures sat inside that band. By 11am, PSI figures fell between 66 and 92.
After the western PSI reading fell at 3pm on Thursday, the whole country's air quality went back to a good and moderate level. The last time every region sat at this level was Oct 5.
The National Environment Agency forecast an unhealthy range for Friday
On Thursday evening, the National Environment Agency (NEA) gave a forecast for Friday. According to the agency, northeasterly and easterly winds kept the bulk of the smoke haze from Kalimantan and Sumatra to the south of Singapore. Its expectation for Friday was a PSI in the unhealthy band, between 101 and 150. The 11am readings of 66 to 92 were below that forecast range.
"As dry conditions are expected to persist over the southern parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan, smoke haze may be transported towards Singapore under prevailing southeasterly winds," it said. Expected southeasterly or southerly winds on Saturday might also carry smoke haze across from Sumatra. "However, showers over Singapore and the vicinity could help with the situation," it said. Showers and favourable winds were expected to ease the hazy conditions on Sunday, NEA added.
Three regions saw elevated hourly PM2.5 levels
Three regions recorded elevated PM2.5 levels on an hourly basis. At 10am the west moved into the elevated band, and central and south followed at 11am. In the north and east, PM2.5 levels stayed within the normal band.
The public should instead consult the one-hour PM2.5 figures when deciding about wearing masks and doing immediate outdoor activities.
Health advice
Should the 24-hour PSI land in the unhealthy range, the elderly, pregnant women and children are urged by NEA to cut back on extended or strenuous exertion outside. Those with chronic diseases, among them heart or lung conditions, should steer clear of such activities.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said vulnerable people, among them the elderly, pregnant women and individuals with chronic heart or lung conditions, should stay away from outdoor activities once 1-hour PM2.5 levels reach the high band. A well-fitting N95 mask or equivalent may be worn by anyone who must head outdoors for immediate activities, to lower exposure to haze particles.
MOH said that N95 masks are generally unnecessary for travelling between home and school or work, and for time spent indoors. MOH noted that KN95, FFP2 and KF94 masks work as well as N95 masks in cutting exposure to haze particles. The HazeMaskGoWhere website is where the public can find the places to collect masks, along with live updates on how many are available at the vending machines.
