Haze in S’pore: Air quality improving with central region now in moderate range

The PSI for the central region stood at 102 at midnight.

Readings in the north, south, east and west have remained in the moderate range since Sept 16.

The PSI readings were 90 for the west, 80 for the east, 73 for the north and 69 for the south at 7am on Sept 18, unchanged from those at 6am.

Hourly PM2.5 readings, which indicate the current concentrations of fine particulate matter, were in the normal band for all regions.

At at 7am on Sept 18, the hourly PM2.5 readings stood at 11 in the south, 12 in the north, 17 in the east, 20 in central and 23 in the west.

The previous readings were eight in the south, 11 in the north, 18 in central, 20 in the east and 23 in the west at 6am.

The NEA has advised the public to refer to the hourly PM2.5 readings for immediate activities and 24-hour PSI ones to plan for the day ahead.

Air quality is considered unhealthy when the 24-hour PSI is in the range of 101 to 200, while an hourly PM2.5 reading between 56 and 150 indicates an elevated concentration of fine particles. 

NEA has advised that during such periods, those who are healthy should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities, while vulnerable groups like the elderly, children and pregnant women, as well as people with chronic lung or heart disease, should minimise or avoid such outdoor activities altogether.