Friday, October 22, 2010
NEA issues health advisory for haze
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 A massive haze blankets the Indonesian city of Batam in Riau province |
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SINGAPORE : The National Environment Agency (NEA) has said the prevailing southwesterly to westerly winds are still bringing in smoke haze from the fires in Sumatra to Singapore.
The 24-hour PSI reading at 4pm was 96, while the 3-hour PSI at 9pm was 80 - both in the moderate range.
A PSI reading of 0-50 means the air quality is in the good range; 51-100 moderate; 101-200 unhealthy; 201-300 very unhealthy; and above 300 hazardous.
NEA said rain in the late morning and early afternoon brought temporary relief, but was not enough to mitigate the haze.
It added that the latest satellite pass on Friday detected 12 hotspots in southern Sumatra. Due to cloud cover, only one hotspot was detected in the Riau province by the satellite.
For the weekend, no heavy rains are expected in the Riau province. As the prevailing winds are expected to remain southwesterly to westerly, hazy conditions are expected to persist in Singapore over the weekend.
NEA said in view of the current haze situation, persons who feel unwell are advised to consult their doctors immediately.
Those with existing heart or respiratory ailments are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities, while the general population is advised to reduce vigorous outdoor activities.
Organisers of public events are also advised to obtain the hourly PSI updates and the relevant health advisories from NEA.
NEA added that under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSH Act), employers have a duty to protect their employees' safety and health at work. Employers should carry out a proper risk assessment and implement appropriate measures, so as to ensure that identified risks are minimised or mitigated.
It said employers are responsible for implementing the "Guidelines for the Protection of Employees against the Effects of Haze at Workplaces" to ensure the protection of their employees as part of their haze action plan. The guidelines would also apply to their contractors.
When there is any feedback or complaints of non-compliance, the Ministry of Manpower will investigate the matter, and enforcement action could be taken against negligent companies and individuals for not complying with the WSH Act.
Meanwhile, doctors said there are precautionary measures the public should take.
Dr Elly Sabrina Ismail, a general practitioner at Banyan Clinic, said: "Try to limit the amount of time you spend outside. And please do take your medications if you are on them.
"For those with no medical problems, it may cause irritation, cough, runny nose, sore throat. Please try to also limit the time you spend outside, especially if you find the PSI index has gone sky high."
Dr Elly Sabrina said the group that are most at-risk are the elderly and young children.
Childcare centres have also stepped up precautionary measures by closely monitoring children, especially during physical activities.
Catherine Chng, principal of My First Skool, Bukit Batok East Centre, said: "If the PSI has reached above 100, we will stop all outdoor activities immediately.
"We will also have an isolation room if a child has any discomfort, like respiratory problems. We will isolate them in the room and contact the parent thereafter."
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
More people opt to exercise in gyms due to haze
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SINGAPORE : With the haze surrounding Singapore this week, more people are opting to hit the gyms instead of exercising outdoors.
The 3-hour PSI reading hit a high of 108 at 6pm on Thursday.
At 6pm on Friday, the 3-hour PSI was in the moderate range at 79.
One gym said more members have been streaming in since last weekend. That was when the haze entered the moderate range.
Fitness First recorded a three per cent rise in average traffic at its outlets in the past two days alone.
And judging from past experience when Singapore was hit by the haze, they expect to see an increase of gym users if the situation persists.
Sarah See, marketing manager, Fitness First, said: "When the haze situation was very bad in 2006, we saw a lot of members coming more frequently to the gym.
"I think one of the reasons why - is because a lot of people who usually workout outside - for example, triathletes who usually do long runs outside - have to come in (to) the gym right now due to the haze level."
Phebe Mathews is among one of those who has increased her visits to the gym since the haze started.
She said: "Last week, I think I was here for four times and it's better because it's cooler and you're shielded from the haze, and less health problems. If I run outside, I feel more breathless. So if I run here, it's so much better."
But there are those who still prefer to run outdoors.
The organiser of this Sunday's Nike City 10K run has said it will go on unless the PSI level exceeds 200 or the National Environment Agency (NEA) advises otherwise.
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
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