World · East Asia & Pacific · 4 hrs ago
Singapore's central region reaches very unhealthy air quality level
Singapore's haze worsened overnight across the country.
At 8am on Friday, the central region's 24-hour PSI was 226, a new high for the year and in the very unhealthy range; other regions recorded unhealthy readings.
Hourly PM2.5 levels were elevated in all five regions, with readings from 96 to 146.
The haze is linked to forest and peatland fires in Indonesia, and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said Singapore is looking into which companies may be responsible.
He said the country may take action under its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act and explore joint action with other countries.
The government has brought forward N95 mask distribution for vulnerable residents and set up haze shelters at some community locations.
Masks are being made available in phases, and the public can check collection points and availability online.
Singapore’s central region reached a very unhealthy 24-hour PSI level at midnight on Friday, Oct 16.
At 8am, the central region’s 24-hour PSI was 226, a new high for the year.
The rest of the country recorded unhealthy 24-hour PSI readings ranging from 148 to 198.
Hourly PM2.5 readings were in the elevated band across all five regions, ranging from 96 to 146.
Singapore is investigating which companies may be responsible for fires in Indonesia that have worsened the haze.
- Who
- Singapore residents are affected by the haze. The government is investigating which companies may be responsible for fires in Indonesia.
- What
- Air quality worsened, with the central region’s 24-hour PSI reaching the very unhealthy level.
- When
- The reading reached that level at midnight on Friday, Oct 16; at 8am it was 226.
- Where
- Singapore, with the highest 24-hour PSI reading in the central region.
- Why
- Forest and peatland fires in Indonesia have caused the worsening haze, according to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
One-hour PM2.5 readings spiked around Singapore, with the western region reaching the very high band.
The 24-hour PSI peaked at 212 in the west, and Lawrence Wong said Singapore was investigating which companies may be responsible for fires in Indonesia.
The central region’s 24-hour PSI reached the very unhealthy level.
The central region’s 24-hour PSI stood at 226, a new high for the year.
- Central region PSI at 8am
- 226
- Central region PSI threshold reached
- Very unhealthy at midnight on Friday, Oct 16
- Other regions’ 24-hour PSI range
- 148 to 198
- Hourly PM2.5 range across five regions
- 96 to 146
- Previous Thursday PSI peak
- 212 in the west
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What people are saying
Where warranted, we will take action under Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, and explore joint action with other countries,
likely to continue spiking