PM2.5 levels elevated in all regions; 24-hour PSI in unhealthy range across Singapore
As of 4pm, the 1-hour PM2.5 reading was the highest in central Singapore at 103.
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SINGAPORE: PM2.5 levels rose across Singapore on Tuesday (Oct 6), with 1-hour readings in the elevated band in all regions.
As of 4pm, the 1-hour PM2.5 reading was the highest in central Singapore at 103. The readings, which provide a more current indication of air quality, were 77 in the west, 87 in the east, 71 in the south and 63 in the north.
The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) was in the unhealthy range across all regions in Singapore as of 4pm.
For immediate outdoor activities, people should refer to the 1-hour PM2.5 readings and corresponding personal guide, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said.
The 24-hour PSI forecast and health advisories should be used when planning outdoor activities for the next 24 hours.
When 1-hour PM2.5 levels are elevated, healthy people are advised to reduce strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour, while the elderly, pregnant women, children and people with chronic heart or lung conditions should avoid such activity.
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In an update on Tuesday morning, NEA said that scattered hotspots were detected in Kalimantan and Sumatra, while a few hotspots were detected elsewhere in the southern part of Southeast Asia. Moderate transboundary smoke haze was observed to cover parts of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and the southern and central parts of Sumatra.
Dry conditions are expected over most parts of the southern Southeast Asian region.
"The hotspot and smoke haze situation may improve in areas experiencing showers but also continue to stay elevated in areas experiencing prolonged periods of dry weather, with a continued risk of transboundary haze occurrence," said NEA.
The 24-hour PSI is Singapore's indicator of daily air quality and forms the basis of NEA's daily health advisories. It is calculated using six air pollutants - PM2.5, PM10, ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide - and reflects the average air quality of the past 24 hours.
The 1-hour PM2.5 reading, on the other hand, is the hourly average of the PM2.5 pollutant levels. PM2.5 is fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or shorter, and is the dominant pollutant during haze that causes harm to health.
A 24-hour PSI reading is considered "unhealthy" when it is in the 101 to 200 range, "very unhealthy" when it is within the 201-300 range and "hazardous" when it goes over 300.
The hourly PM2.5 reading is classified in four bands: normal, elevated, high and very high. It is considered elevated when it ranges from 56 to 150. The "high" band ranges from 151 to 250, and readings above that are classified as "very high".
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