Singapore air pollution slips into unhealthy level

[Buster's Uncle]

Singapore air pollution slips into unhealthy level
Reuters
2 hours ago



A couple passes by the skyline of the financial district during haze in Singapore September 15, 2014. REUTERS/Edgar Su



SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore's air pollution rose to unhealthy levels on Monday, the National Environment Agency said, as winds changed direction and brought in light smoke from forest fires in neighboring Indonesia.

Singapore is in the middle of its "haze" season, when smoke from forest clearing in Indonesia traditionally chokes the air, but this year has been practically haze free, despite warnings in May it was going to be worse than 2013's record pollution.

The three-hour Pollution Standards Index broke above 100, the level beyond which the air is considered unhealthy, at 1 a.m. and remained above that level into the daylight hours, the government agency said on its website.

The NEA warned on Sunday that if the wind blew from the southwest, Singapore could experience occasional haze from fires on Indonesia's Sumatra island.



Tourists pose for photos with the Marina Bay Sands casino and resort (background) during haze in Singapore September 15, 2014. REUTERS/Edgar Su


The smoke blanketed Singapore last June, pushing the air pollution index to a record 401.

In August, Singapore's parliament passed a bill proposing fines for companies that cause pollution regardless of whether the companies operate on the island, though it remains to be seen how the law can be enforced.

(Reporting by Rujun Shen; Editing by Nick Macfie)


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