- SINGAPORE
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How Does The Haze In Singapore Affect Your Health?
Protecting Your Family During The Haze Season
Every year between June and October, the yearly haze in Singapore often sends parents into a panic. Driven by forest and peatland fires in neighboring regions and carried by monsoon winds, the haze blankets the island with pollutants, which can particularly affect young children and seniors.
Staying informed about the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI), limiting outdoor play when air quality is unhealthy and taking proactive steps to keep your little ones safe during the haze season is key. Whether you’re new to Singapore or need a refresh about what it is and what it means for you and your family, we’ve got you covered.
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Understanding PSI Levels In Singapore:
What Is PSI?PSI is the gauge in which we measure air quality. The PSI (Pollutant Standards Index) range covers 0 to above 300. The values below describe the air quality and what is healthy versus unhealthy. How much you can do outdoors depends on several factors including your health, the PSI, and the intensity of the outdoor exercise.
How To Interpret PSI:
- 0 - 50 (Good): Everyone can enjoy normal activities.
- 51 - 100 (Moderate): Everyone can enjoy normal activities.
- 101 - 200 (Unhealthy): For Kids/Pregnant women, minimize strenuous physical exercise. Healthy people need to reduce prolonged exertion.
- 201 - 300 (Very Unhealthy): For Kids/Pregnant women, minimize outdoor activities. Healthy people need to reduce strenuous physical exercise.
- Above 300 (Hazardous): For Kids/Pregnant women, avoid outdoor activity. Healthy people need to minimize outdoor activity.
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How The Haze In Singapore Affects Your Health:
Common Effects Of The HazeHaze particles may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat in healthy individuals. Such irritation resolves on its own in most cases. There may be up to 1 to 3 day time lag between exposure to haze and health effects/ symptoms.
Common Effects Of The Haze:
- Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
- Red, watery, or itchy eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Runny or blocked nose (rhinitis)
- Dry or sore throat
- Persistent cough or wheezing
- Breathing discomfort or reduced exercise tolerance
- Possible worsening of existing heart or lung conditions
- Higher chance of asthma flare-ups or attacks (especially in children who already have asthma)
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Protecting Yourself During The Haze In Singapore:
Do I Need To Wear A Mask?When levels get high and you need to be outdoors you may want to consider wearing a mask. N95 masks are designed to seal to the face of the wearer. This way, most of the air that the wearer breathes in has to go through the filter and not through the gaps between the mask and the wearer’s face.
Where To Buy A Mask In Singapore:
- Guardian: 3M N95 masks, surgical masks, and kids' masks. Available online and with click-and-collect.
- Watsons: Surgical masks, KF-style masks, and some N95/respirator options. Available online too.
- NTUC Fairprice / Unity Pharmacy: 3M Particulate Respirator 8210 N95 masks and everyday surgical masks
- Lazada or Shopee: Huge selection of 3M N95, KN95, and surgical masks from official or verified sellers. Fast delivery options.
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Other Resources & Information:
The National Environment Agency, 1800 CALL NEA (1800-225 5632), www.haze.gov.sg
Clean & Green Singapore, www.facebook.com/CGSingapore
National Environmental Agency In Singapore - Twitter Feed, https://twitter.com/neasg
Clean & Green Singapore YOUTUBE, www.youtube.com/user/CleanGreenSingapore
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