At 7am on Monday (Oct 19), Singapore's 24-hour PSI ranged from 90 (moderate) in the north to 136 (unhealthy) in the west. Hourly PM2.5 readings were elevated in the west, central and east, while the south was in the normal band.
The west hit a 24-hour PSI of 230 at 10am on Sunday, a new high for this year's haze season. The National Environment Agency (NEA) expects Monday's 24-hour PSI to be in the unhealthy band, 101 to 190.
What the haze outlook means for families with children
- NEA names children among the groups who should limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor exertion when the 24-hour PSI is unhealthy.
- NEA says showers and south-southeasterly or southerly winds may limit Kalimantan haze on Monday, though some Sumatra haze may drift towards Singapore.
- Haze from Kalimantan could ease on Tuesday, but winds are likely to turn east-southeasterly from Tuesday night, which may bring it back overnight.
What NEA and MOH advise
- Minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion for children, the elderly and pregnant women, NEA advises, while the PSI is unhealthy.
- Check hourly PM2.5 readings, not the 24-hour PSI, when deciding on a mask for immediate outdoor activities, NEA advises.
- Wear a well-fitting N95 or equivalent if you must go outdoors when PM2.5 is high, MOH says; KN95, FFP2 and KF94 also reduce exposure.
MOH also says the elderly, pregnant women and people with severe heart or lung conditions who have breathing difficulties should consult their doctor before using an N95. Anyone uncomfortable in a mask should take a break from it. The HazeMaskGoWhere website lists mask collection locations and live availability at vending machines.