Singapore air turns unhealthy as Indonesia denies causing haze

8 October 2023

Published by: https://www.bloomberg.com

SINGAPORE – Singapore’s air quality in parts of the island reached “unhealthy” levels and it warned of widespread hazy conditions due to forest fires in Indonesia, increasing tension in the region over cross-border air pollution that causes respiratory illness and can slash tourism revenue.

Singapore’s 24-hour PSI air pollution reading in the east of the island rose as high as 117, according to the National Environment Agency website on Saturday. An index reading between 101 and 200 is deemed “unhealthy,” while a level above 300 is categorized as “hazardous.” Indonesia said seven provinces have declared a state of emergency for land and forest fires, but denied that haze from Indonesia had spread to other countries.