Forum: Diesel generators at worksites a hazard to health

I live beside a construction site and want to highlight a gap in the building industry that raises pollution levels, and affects efficiency and public health. During early stages of building on vacant land, contractors commonly rely on diesel generators because mains power is connected only later.

These generators produce persistent noise, diesel odour and fine particles, sometimes for months. They are also inefficient and costly, expenses that ultimately feed into higher building costs.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies diesel engine exhaust as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it is known to cause cancer in humans, particularly lung cancer. Given Singapore’s continuous construction activity, the routine use of portable generators undermines efforts to maintain good air quality and public health.

My family members have experienced respiratory symptoms (nausea, dizziness, breathlessness) likely related to emissions from the site. While manageable now, our quality of life is deteriorating.

I would like to suggest that the relevant authorities consider requiring early access to grid electricity for building sites (or feasible alternatives such as temporary clean-grid connections) and restricting routine use of diesel generators.

If existing workflow or regulatory barriers prevent this, a review of procedures and timelines would be timely, as practical measures to protect residents’ health and reduce pollution are needed.

Goh Ee Kiat