Haze keeps Singaporeans at home

SINGAPORE, 21 June 2013: Singapore’s smog index hit the critical 400 level on Friday, making it potentially life-threatening to ill and elderly people, according to a government monitoring site.

The record level was reached at 1100 (0300 GMT) after a rapid rise in the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI), which measures the haze crisis caused by Indonesian forest fires.

Indonesian and Singaporean officials have been holding emergency talks on how to extinguish the fires on farms and plantations on Sumatra island, which are also affecting Malaysia.

According to Singapore government guidelines, sustained PSI average levels above 400 on a 24-hour basis “may be life-threatening to ill and elderly persons”.

General practitioner Philip Koh said he had seen a 20% spike in consultations in the past week, and estimated that about 80% of all his patients are suffering from haze-related ailments.

“My patients are telling me they are worried about how long this is going to last and how much higher this is going to go. It is already high at 400 now, how much higher will it go?” he told AFP.

Koh also said many were turning to his clinic to buy protective masks, as supplies are low at retailers.

“Our supplies are running low here too,” he said.

If the 400 index average is sustained over a 24-hour period, the government advises all children, elderly people and persons with existing diseases to stay indoors, keep windows closed and avoid physical exertion as much as possible.

TTR Weekly’s Singapore office reported, earlier today, that many schools had closed as a precaution and streets in the usually busy downtown districts were almost deserted. Entertainment and restaurants have been hard hit with people forced to stay home.

People have been told to avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors with windows shut. Families with air-conditioned apartments can follow the advice, but it is not practical for most residents who need to open windows to reduce the heat.

Here in Bangkok, the government has cautioned travellers to postpone trips to Singapore until the haze clears citing potential health risks.

Sourced: ttrweekly