Air quality here hits higher end of moderate band, but normal activities can go on

Air quality in Singapore hovered in the higher end of the  "moderate" range on Thursday, with the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) three-hour reading hitting a high of 84 at 10am. -- PHOTO: ST FILE
Air quality in Singapore hovered in the higher end of the  "moderate" range on Thursday, with the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) three-hour reading hitting a high of 84 at 10am. -- PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - Air quality in Singapore hovered in the higher end of the "moderate" range on Thursday, with the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) three-hour reading hitting a high of 84 at 10am.

The reading dropped to 74 at 2pm. A PSI reading of between 0 and 50 refers to "good" air quality, while a reading of between 51 and 100 means air quality is in the "moderate" range. Air quality with a PSI reading above 100 is considered unhealthy.

On Wednesday, air quality was also "moderate", with the 24-hour PSI reading ranging from 62 to 66.

The 24-hour PSI reading refers to the 24-hour average of PSI readings, while the three-hour PSI reading refers to the average of data taken over a three-hour period. A 24-hour PSI reading should be used to gauge the impact on health.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said in an advisory on Wednesday that 80 hotspots were detected in Sumatra in Indonesia. These were detected mostly in southern Sumatra, with slight smoke haze visible in the vicinity of some of the hotspots.

In the statement, the NEA also reminded the public that the health impact of haze is dependant on one's health status, PSI levels, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity.

The agency said in the statement on Wednesday that given the "moderate" air quality forecast for Thursday, normal activities can resume.

Haze updates can be accessed at www.haze.gov.sg, on NEA's Facebook page or at NEA Twitter's twitter account, @NEAsg.

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