3-hour PSI hits high of 113 at 3pm

SINGAPORE — Singapore’s three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hit 113 today (Oct 19) as of 3pm, in the unhealthy range.

Air quality gradually deteriorated over last night and this morning, leading to the peak at 3pm. Since then, the number has eased to 75 as at 8pm.

The National Environment Agency’s (NEA) daily haze situation update as of noon today states that haziness is expected to persist in the high end of the moderate range and low end of the unhealthy range for the rest of the day, with conditions "likely due to smoke haze from Sumatra, blown in by the prevailing winds".

Thundery showers are forecast in the afternoon for Singapore, and this may provide some relief from the hazy conditions.

A PSI reading of 101 to 200 falls within the unhealthy range, while a 51 to 100 reading is considered moderate.

The health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity. Reducing outdoor activities and physical exertion can help limit the ill effects from haze exposure. 

Given the air quality forecast for the next 24 hours, the NEA said healthy persons should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. The elderly, pregnant women and children should minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion, while those with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. Persons who are not feeling well, especially the elderly and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention.