Parting Shots!

The future remains to be seen with changes being pledged to alleviating the haze problem in the Southeast Asian region. To be optimistic is to say that occurrences of haze will be lessened although not completely alleviated, given the recent hazy conditions reported in the northeastern and eastern regions in Singapore in the past month or so.

The 2013 haze outbreak in the region which has had N95 masks sold out all over Singapore and air quality deteriorate so badly and so quickly that nobody even had time to react, is a harsh reminder for everyone to stay prepared and vigilant amidst playing our part in ensuring good air quality. 

We can say that the best things in life are free and we are not wrong. However, they should not be taken for granted for simple and seemingly given things like clean air can be taken away so easily in the blink of an eye or the flicker of a torch to set fire to an entire forest. I am definitely looking forward to clean air and less smoggy scenery and I am sure a lot of us are too. Let us work hand-in-hand, an action definitely inspired by the ASEAN handshake, to strive for a better and brighter (no more particles in the air!) tomorrow!

It's been fun documenting the entire haze pollution process through this blog. It's been a long and arduous journey indeed and well, see everyone during finals! :) 

What should we do in the event of a haze

The haze seems to have become a constant in the region, despite treaties and agreements that wish otherwise. The limited action seen on a national and international front brings an impetus to dealing with the haze at least on an individual basis for the short term.

First, we need to acknowledge that the effects of the haze is different in every individual, depending on the existing health status as well as the level of physical activity undertaken during the period of the haze. The intensity and the frequency of outdoor related activities should see a decline during the period of the haze. This is exemplified via this chart issued by the Ministry of Health Singapore that provides a guideline of activity levels depending on the prevalence or the intensity of the haze.

Above: Haze Health Advisory by Ministry Of Health Singapore on activity level of general population

MOE has issued a press release that circumvents action by schools in the event of a haze. School activities could be "scaled down if necessary" and centres may be closed in kindergartens to secondary schools. However in post-secondary institutions and junior colleges, MOE takes a more advisory role in ensuring the well-being of their students, citing the reasons that most of the classes take place in indoor spaces already and that students are older (MOE, 2013).

Well of course, there is the usual go-to precautionary device called "masks". Singaporeans are generally well-versed in this, judging from the crowd outside pharmacies and designated spots to purchase N95 masks and air purifiers. 

Above: Snaking queue outside Unity Pharmacy to purchase air purifiers

Above: Boxes of N95 masks handed out to the crowd

The Singapore government during the period of the haze had also advised the citizen population to remain indoors as much as possible (more on this later!) and turn on air conditioning as the AC will help filter out the air pollutants (not quite sure on this...). 

Generally speaking, the Singapore population seems to be well-advised in dealing with the haze and its polluting effects. N95 masks for every member of the household have arrived in the mail soon after the haze episode after stocks were replenished in order to prepare society for another outbreak. Air purifiers have also increased their stock and range at local hardware shops. I would suggest that we skip the risk and get an air purifier for home. The said benefits are aplenty but its effectiveness on a ground level remains to be seen for there has yet to be another haze episode as severe for real-time testing of the equipment. In the mean time, let us hope that our air purifiers will collect some dust because really, we don't need another PS1 400 haze outbreak ever.