This year’s haze is especially bad compare to the rest of the year.
The smoky haze over Singapore entered the “unhealthy” range of 101 – 200.
On October 21 2010, the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hovered at around 80 through the day — the worst 24-hour reading since 2006.
Worse, the situation may worsen as wind blows more smoke from the forest fires in Sumatra that continue to burn.
Singapore’s Minister of Environment and Water Resources, Yaacob Ibrahim expressed disappointment over the recent sharp increase in the number of hotspots in Sumatra which has brought back the haze.
Dr Yaacob said he has asked Indonesian authorities on several occasions to enforce extra measures to ensure that the forest fires do not recur. He also said, “This is not the first time that we have informed the Indonesians that they should pay attention to the hotspots both in Sumatra and Borneo. We are a bit disappointed that this is happening.”
Moreover, He added that, “Maybe the world media should use the term ’Indonesian Haze’ to describe the recurring haze problem,” he said. The Straits Times even quoted him as saying, “It is a matter that cannot be taken lightly.”
He added that at a recent meeting Asean members had agreed to take measures on the haze issue to press on the need for more vigilance against fire starters.
Besides that, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said that the latest satellite pass detected 202 hotspots in Sumatra, mainly in the provinces of South Sumatra, Jambi and Riau.
Dr Yaacob also has a word of advice for those who are vulnerable to respiratory illness: try not to spend much time outdoors.
He mentioned that if the situation gets worse, authorities will consider issuing a health advisory, but since the Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) is in the moderate range, no special precautions ought to be taken for now.
The rain which fell in many parts of Singapore did little to quell the increasingly thick blanket of haze.The haze is caused by large areas of “hotspots” in Sumatra where farmers burn forests to prepare the land for planting crops.
Singapore is set to discuss the problem with top Indonesian government officials.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim has also contacted his Indonesian counterpart to “register our concerns,” the government said in an emailed statement.
The smoke from forest fires is becoming a serious health concern.
Singaporeans have also expressed their frustration at the problem that has become an annual recurrence in recent years.
In addition base on my view, haze can lead asthma patients suffer quite a fair bit due to breathing issues, blocked nose, light-headedness, eye can get swollen, can give us sore throat, cough and runny nose due to the haze. Even, I take pity on the construction workers who spend most of their time in the open.
