Re: How bad is the haze!!!! The haze is so bad.......................
Refer to 24-hour PSI, not 3-hour: Ng Eng Hen
POSTED: 21 Jun 2013 8:32 PM
Singapore's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen. (AFP Photo/Roslan Rahman)
SINGAPORE: Defence Minister and Chairman of the Haze Inter-Ministerial Committee Ng Eng Hen on Friday urged the public to refer to the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading rather than the three-hour reading.
He said this was because the effects of exposure to pollutants are based on a "continuum" rather than a "threshold".
Speaking at a media briefing on Friday evening, Dr Ng said the effects of the pollutants "are not like bugs" and are based on factors such as the length of exposure, the density of the pollutants, and individual variation.
He added that most studies on the exposure to pollutants are based on 24-hour measurements. That is why the government's guidelines are also based on those measurements, he said.
The guidelines state if the 24-hour PSI goes above 300, healthy people should also stay indoors to reduce exposure. Those who need to work outdoors should limit their exposure to pollutants by using an N95 mask.
Dr Ng also echoed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's point that the guidelines do not indicate a hardline for stoppage of work or closure of schools, as the haze is all around.
He said: "It is not sensible to have these thresholds now because for some, the home environment is no different from the school or work. So if you stop work or close schools, they go back to the home environment, the exposure is the same. It is not sustainable because it means a mass closure of outdoor businesses - airports, ports and other sectors."
Second Minister for Environment and Water Resources Grace Fu said it is "important for the public to refer to the 24-hour PSI" and "not be too overly concerned with the 3-hour PSI which may show spikes and drops from time to time".
"The health impacts of air pollutants are actually determined both by the concentration and also the duration of exposure. So when we measure the health impact and determine the advisory, the 24-hour measurement is a better reflection of the total exposure of an individual to particulate matter," she added.
Minister of State for Manpower Amy Khor said employers should remain vigilant and exercise flexibility during this period.
She said: "We would like to urge employers to allow employees to take leave if necessary from work, to rest at home because they are unwell or need to take care of family members... and for employees who have used up their leave entitlement, employers can consider granting them no-pay leave during this period of absence."
Authorities have also given the assurance that its haze monitoring systems are robust and rigorous.
Tan Gee Keow, Deputy Secretary of Planning at the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, said the public can be confident in the government's haze measurements.
Responding to concerns from the public about the impact of the haze on water quality, Ms Tan assured Singaporeans the water supply is safe and normal.
National water agency PUB however is taking extra precautions and has stepped up its monitoring of water quality, she said.
Separately, Dr Ng also urged Singaporeans not to feed on fear to profiteer for themselves.
He was responding to media queries on text messages that have been circulating; the messages had suggested that the haze could cause cancer or toxic rain.
- CNA/jc
Refer to 24-hour PSI, not 3-hour: Ng Eng Hen
POSTED: 21 Jun 2013 8:32 PM
Singapore's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen. (AFP Photo/Roslan Rahman)
SINGAPORE: Defence Minister and Chairman of the Haze Inter-Ministerial Committee Ng Eng Hen on Friday urged the public to refer to the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading rather than the three-hour reading.
He said this was because the effects of exposure to pollutants are based on a "continuum" rather than a "threshold".
Speaking at a media briefing on Friday evening, Dr Ng said the effects of the pollutants "are not like bugs" and are based on factors such as the length of exposure, the density of the pollutants, and individual variation.
He added that most studies on the exposure to pollutants are based on 24-hour measurements. That is why the government's guidelines are also based on those measurements, he said.
The guidelines state if the 24-hour PSI goes above 300, healthy people should also stay indoors to reduce exposure. Those who need to work outdoors should limit their exposure to pollutants by using an N95 mask.
Dr Ng also echoed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's point that the guidelines do not indicate a hardline for stoppage of work or closure of schools, as the haze is all around.
He said: "It is not sensible to have these thresholds now because for some, the home environment is no different from the school or work. So if you stop work or close schools, they go back to the home environment, the exposure is the same. It is not sustainable because it means a mass closure of outdoor businesses - airports, ports and other sectors."
Second Minister for Environment and Water Resources Grace Fu said it is "important for the public to refer to the 24-hour PSI" and "not be too overly concerned with the 3-hour PSI which may show spikes and drops from time to time".
"The health impacts of air pollutants are actually determined both by the concentration and also the duration of exposure. So when we measure the health impact and determine the advisory, the 24-hour measurement is a better reflection of the total exposure of an individual to particulate matter," she added.
Minister of State for Manpower Amy Khor said employers should remain vigilant and exercise flexibility during this period.
She said: "We would like to urge employers to allow employees to take leave if necessary from work, to rest at home because they are unwell or need to take care of family members... and for employees who have used up their leave entitlement, employers can consider granting them no-pay leave during this period of absence."
Authorities have also given the assurance that its haze monitoring systems are robust and rigorous.
Tan Gee Keow, Deputy Secretary of Planning at the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, said the public can be confident in the government's haze measurements.
Responding to concerns from the public about the impact of the haze on water quality, Ms Tan assured Singaporeans the water supply is safe and normal.
National water agency PUB however is taking extra precautions and has stepped up its monitoring of water quality, she said.
Separately, Dr Ng also urged Singaporeans not to feed on fear to profiteer for themselves.
He was responding to media queries on text messages that have been circulating; the messages had suggested that the haze could cause cancer or toxic rain.
- CNA/jc
