Hazardous air pollution in Singapore reaches record highs

Air pollution in Singapore has today reached record highs for the third day in a row. Fires on the Indonesian island Sumatra have been blamed for the high levels of smog throughout Singapore. The fires have created huge plumes of smoke which are dramatically affecting the air quality of both Singapore and Malaysia.

The levels of air pollution have reached record highs, representing the worst air quality crisis Singapore has ever faced. The average Pollution Standard Index (PSI) has today reached 401, showing a noted increase on the levels recorded over the last few days - 371 on Thursday and 321 on Wednesday. An unhealthy reading is regarded as being between 101 and 200, whilst readings above 300 are classed as hazardous.

Hazardous levels of air pollution are also drastically affecting Malaysia, with hundreds of schools being closed throughout the south of the country. Staff across hundreds of Singapore companies have also had to send staff home in an effort to limit exposure to the pollution.

Discussions have continued concerning attempting to put the fires out that are causing the vast levels of air pollution. Singapore's environment minister has flown to Jakarta in order to attempt to find a solution. According to the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency, a 'water-bombing' operation is due to begin in an attempt to douse the fires.

Over one hundred fire fighters will be working on the ground whilst helicopters are used to drop water on the flames from above. A 'cloud-seeding' operation will also begin over the next few days in which airplanes will attempt to chemically induce rain over Sumatra.   

Lee Hsieng, Singapore's prime minister, said: "We can't tell how this problem is going to develop because it depends on the burning, it depends on the weather, it depends on the wind. It can easily last for several weeks and quite possibly it could last longer until the dry season ends in Sumatra, which may be in September or October."