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Bargain Hen tells stoopid sinkies to stop scaring themselves over 3-hour PSI averages
Refer to 24-hour PSI, not 3-hour: Ng Eng Hen
POSTED: 21 Jun 2013 8:32 PM
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."
The minister 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: 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."
The minister 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
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