Air quality in Singapore improves to moderate level
Air quality in Singapore improved to a moderate level on September 5 after the 24-hour PSI in three regions of the country had earlier reached the unhealthy range during the day. This was reported by Channel NewsAsia, citing Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA).
Readings in the regions
As of 22:00, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) in the central region stood at 96. This was below the peak of 123 recorded at 01:00. In the west and east of the country, the index fell to 89 and 79 respectively.
The western and eastern regions were in the unhealthy range at 06:00, with PSI readings of 103 and 102 respectively. In the northern and southern regions, readings remained moderate throughout the day and stood at 76 and 75 at 22:00.
For the first time since October 8, 2023, the 24-hour PSI exceeded 100 at 07:00 on Friday. Following this, the NEA began publishing daily haze advisories, including a forecast for the index over the next 24 hours, so that residents could plan their activities and events.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Smoke from fires in Indonesia
According to the NEA’s assessment, Singapore may continue to experience transboundary haze if fires in Indonesia remain active. The 24-hour PSI is forecast to range from the upper end of the moderate range to the lower end of the unhealthy range.
Dry weather persisted in most parts of the region on Saturday. Moderate to dense smoke plumes over southern and central Sumatra, as well as parts of Kalimantan, continued to move toward Singapore. In the coming days, dry conditions are expected to persist, while prevailing winds will blow from the southeast or south, the agency said.
The 24-hour PSI is Singapore’s indicator of daily air quality. It is calculated using data on six pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. Values from 101 to 200 are considered unhealthy, from 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and above 300 hazardous.
