Haze: Schools Opens As Usual But Might Close If Haze Worsens; Measures Put In Place

When I was a kid, one thing I always complained about was the lack of seasons in Singapore. We don’t experience winter, and playing in the snow seemed pretty cool to mini-me.

Nowadays it’s like a twisted genie has made that come true with the haze. Sort of.

But this wasn’t what I meant when I wanted to experience different seasons in Singapore…

In a way, the haze works exactly like the weather. We know the reason why it happens, but we can’t predict the full extent of it.

So what’s going on? Can I finally take MC? The haze look like apocalypse, you still want me work?

NEA: Visibility And Smell Not Good Indicators Of Air Quality

Before you point to the outside of your window and head to the nearest clinic to get an MC:

NEA would like you to know that what you see and smell isn’t a good indicator of air quality.

This is in response to confusion over PSI readings and why the air might look bad but gahmen still says air quality ok.

According to the post, water vapour in the air scatters light, which results in lower visibility.

What makes this worse is that some air pollutant particles attract water molecules which in turn results in larger particles that scatter more light.

This, in turn, makes it seem even hazier.

As for the smell, vegetation and peatland fires in the region are to blame, but that doesn’t necessarily result in an increase in the PSI or PM2.5 readings.

(Personally, I’m even more confused from their post, but use your own judgement.)

Find out more about facts regarding the haze here.

PSI Still Within Normal, So School Resumes

What this means is that despite what you might see, PSI levels are surprisingly quite normal. Normal meaning a 24 hour PSI of between 77 to 86 in S’pore, which is considered under the ‘Moderate’ range, at around 10 am on 16 September 2019.

For reference, a PSI of above 100 is where it starts to get unhealthy, according to NEA.

The 1 hour PM2.5 was between 17 and 24, which is also in the normal range.

MOE Ready For The Haze

But of course, just because some number out there says it’s okay doesn’t discount the fact that you might genuinely feel uncomfortable in the haze because of some reason.

All classrooms of primary, secondary, kindergarten and special education schools have been equipped with air purifiers already. Teachers will also keep a lookout for students who are unwell or have pre-existing conditions.

As for closing of the schools, the Government will consider it when the forecast for the next day is “hazardous”, which is when the 24 hour PSI goes above 300.

Should school close when national exams are ongoing, exam papers will be rescheduled and exam period extended.

People’s Association and MINDEF also said that activities would continue as long as it is in the healthy range.

So the question here I have is… Huh? I thought you say above 100 already unhealthy why wait until 300?