If you stepped outside this week and immediately noticed that unmistakable Singapore haze smell…you definitely aren’t the only one. Over the past few days, residents and especially those in the East, have been taking to social media to report a distinct burning smell that locals know all too well from last month’s haze in Singapore. According to reports, recent shifts in prevailing winds have been carrying smoke from peat fires in nearby Johor right across the strait—making the air noticeably pungent even if thick smog isn’t visibly blanketing the skyline just yet. Here’s what we know about the haze and air quality in Singapore.
What is happening with the haze in Singapore?
Interestingly, the data actually says the Singapore air quality has been hovering in the ‘Normal’ range on the official Air Quality Index and ‘Good’ for the 24-hour psi Singapore readings. Certainly, this can be confusing when your nose and eyes tells you otherwise. See the readings here.
Notably, environmental authorities said that peat fires produce a scent that is highly detectable by the human nose even at very low particulate concentrations. So while the haze in Singapore today might smell terrible—the overall 24-hour pollutant numbers haven’t consistently breached the unhealthy threshold, though short-term PM2.5 spikes have certainly been keeping air purifiers busy in the early morning hours.
Whether you’re planing a outdoor run or just commuting to work, it’s best to stay vigilant and monitor the haze in Singapore. If the air feels harsh or the smell is strong in your specific neighbourhood, health experts recommend closing your windows, switching on your air-conditioning or purifiers, and avoiding outdoor physical activities. In fact, haze particles can irritate your eyes and respiratory system, so be sure to keep masks handy just in case the situation escalates further.
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