23-6-2023 (SINGAPORE) As the haze season approaches Singapore, authorities have advised the public to protect themselves against dust and smoke particles by wearing masks and using air purifiers. The region is entering the dry season, and scientists expect El Nino conditions to return this year, bringing with it lower rainfall and warmer temperatures. This increases the risk of vegetation fires that could lead to a higher chance of haze.
Businesses are ramping up manufacturing orders by 30% to meet the surge in demand for N95 masks, and families are seeking ways to improve air quality at home. Medical supplies company Pharmex Healthcare has sold three times more N95 masks over the past few weeks. The company’s managing director, Victor Yeap, said they have activated their manufacturing site to ship masks more quickly. They have also ensured that their retail outlets dedicate more space to stocking up masks on the retail front, making sure that they are widely available.
Meanwhile, Dyson, a household electronics firm that sells a wide range of air purifiers, has seen an increase in customers connecting their machines to their app during the transboundary haze events of 2019. The trend suggests that during the haze period, people not only use their air purifiers more often but also want to find out more information about the quality of air in their homes.
The Meteorological Service Singapore (Met Service) has warned that this year’s dry season could be more “intense and prolonged” compared to recent years, lasting until October, due to the double whammy of an expected El Nino and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). The period between June and September is the usual dry season for Singapore and the surrounding region. The Met Service has said that the government’s Inter-Agency Haze Task Force is coordinating action plans in preparation for the seasonal air pollution.
