Haze reaches hazardous level for first time since 2013

SINGAPORE — For the first time since 2013, the air quality here has entered hazardous levels. This morning (Sept 25), the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) entered the hazardous range when it registered 243-309 at 4am before climbing to 250-315 at 5am. As of 9am, the 24-hour PSI was 268-320.

Yesterday, the Government took the unprecedented step to close primary and secondary schools for a day, while the Government moves to activate mitigation measures, although it did not declare a national stop-work order.

Yesterday, a dense haze shrouded the Republic in an acrid pall, with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) at “very unhealthy” levels for most of the day (200 to 300), while the three-hour PSI soared past the 300-mark to hit 317 as of 11pm. The one-hour PM2.5 concentration ranged from 241 to 208 microgrammes per cubic metre.

The authorities said the persistent haze over Sumatra has continued spreading to the surrounding region, with the denser part of the haze seen to the south of Singapore. The rapid deterioration in air quality was because of a change in wind direction brought about by a tropical storm off the Philippines. With the prevailing wind direction, “the possibility of the air quality going into the hazardous range cannot be excluded”, said the authorities.

The decision by the Ministry of Education to close schools was made after the 7pm forecast by the National Environment Agency, in consultation with the Ministry of Health. MOE kindergartens and Special Education schools will also be closed, but school-based care centres will remain open, and parents who cannot make alternative care arrangements can still send their children to schools to be supervised by teachers.

O-Level music and higher music practical examinations scheduled for today will be postponed to Sept 29. This will affect about 100 students, who will be informed through the schools.

Minister for the Environment and Water Vivian Balakrishnan, speaking at a media briefing — which was also attended by Education Minister Heng Swee Keat and Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say — said it was difficult to predict how conditions would develop over the next few weeks. While El Nino is expected to last until November, weather changes such as tropical storms can alter wind patterns, bringing the haze with them.

Air quality “can get worse before it gets better”, he said, adding: “We cannot exclude the possibility that we will end up in the hazardous range.”

Foreign Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam had sharp words for the Indonesian authorities in a Facebook post yesterday. “The Indonesian government has said that it is taking steps to deal with the problem. We hope those steps will lead to lasting outcomes, and we are prepared to work with Indonesia on this. Yet at the same time, we are hearing some shocking statements made, at senior levels, from Indonesia, with a complete disregard for our people, and their own — PSI levels in parts of Indonesia are at almost 2,000 (PSI above 350 is considered hazardous in Indonesia).”

As the haze steadily worsened yesterday, the Singapore Sports Hub announced it was closing its outdoor venues due to the poor air quality, while the Land Transport Authority slowed MRT train speeds between the Admiralty and Marsiling stations as a precaution against reduced visibility.

While current public transport service levels have been maintained, public transport operators will activate their haze management plans if the situation worsens, the LTA said. If visibility is poor, the speed of the above-ground MRT trains may be reduced as a precaution, as is already the case between Admiralty and Marsiling stations. “SBST and SMRT have also issued N95 masks to their bus captains for their use, if necessary,” the LTA said, adding it will put up advisories where necessary to alert motorists to drive carefully.

The People’s Association will be setting up mask distribution points at its community centres from today for the low-income and elderly. Businesses, meanwhile, moved to reduce outdoor exposure for their staff. Esso, for example, posted a sign informing customers that its attendants would be indoors if three-hour PSI levels hit 200 or more.

Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, which drew large crowds when it was last opened to the public on National Day, was relatively hushed in comparison yesterday, though Mr Randall Tan, who was present with his wife and three sons, did not think the haze was an issue. “I promised to bring my two younger kids here,” said the 42-year-old finance admin manager. “I’m not so worried about the haze, I’ll just ask (the children) to drink water so they can stay hydrated.”

The haze did not stop some from queuing for the latest iPhone 6s, sales of which start today. Over at the Courts outlet at Somerset, there were at least 50 people in line, and the retailer was giving out complimentary masks and water.

Several football clubs — Hougang United, Warriors, and Albirex — suspended training yesterday, despite upcoming matches. The two S.League football matches scheduled today will go on as planned, an S.League spokesperson told TODAY. He added that as a guiding principle, football matches will be delayed should the three-hourly PSI exceed 150.

General manager Nicholas Low of Hougang United Football Club said some football training sessions were shortened last week as the PSI level was close to or exceeded 150. For example, instead of a two-hour training session, it was shortened to an hour of training, said Mr Low.

Albirex Football Club manager Koh Mui Tee said: “With the haze (worsening), safety remains a concern for our players.”