We speak to a doctor at IMC about air quality and how your health is affected by the haze
Feeling a little hazy? Singapore’s PSI reading is nudging a little higher at the moment, so we asked Dr Ho Tzin Yih of International Medical Centre (IMC) to help clear the air on what we can do to combat the big H.
How does the haze in Singapore affect our health and who is at high risk of being affected?
The haze can cause particles in the air to get trapped deep in our lungs that are very difficult to eliminate. People most at risk are those with impaired lungs, heart problems, and allergies such as asthma. Even healthy people that spend a lot of time outdoors can be affected. Excuse not to exercise for a couple of days?!
What does PSI mean and how does it reflect current air quality? Get ready for some science:
The Pollutant Standards Index measures air pollution levels. The PSI is calculated by averaging air pollutant and PM10 readings over a 3 hour period and is then reported every hour. PM10 refers to particulate matter 10 microns in diameter or smaller. From the 1st of May, the National Environment Agency will start to incorporate a reading of PM2.5 – fine particles of 2.5 microns or smaller. This means the index may sit a little higher in the future and hover in the moderate range more often.
What do you recommend we do to protect our children from the haze, especially those who have sensitive respiratory health issues e.g. asthma?
Grab some books, toys and DVD’s and stay inside! Even though you may go stir crazy, your best bet for avoiding haze related issues is avoidance and prevention. So you need to limit outdoor exposure when the PSI level is above 100. If your child is an asthmatic that only uses an emergency inhaler, you may need to make a trip to the doctor to see if a preventative inhaler is required. Having the aircon on might assist if it recycles the air rather than pulling in new air from outside.
What precautions should pregnant women take during the haze?
Again, prevention is the best cure, so really just limit outdoor activity. A good excuse to put your feet up. Of course, if levels get worryingly high please consult a doctor. If you’re fit for travel you may be advised to leave the island.
What type of masks should we wear (e.g. surgical masks, N95 masks etc)?
An interesting accessory! The N95 masks are effective in adults but only when properly fitted and worn correctly. They are recommended for people undertaking strenuous and prolonged activity outdoors. A lot of respiratory effort is required to use them though so they’re not to be used by children, pregnant women in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters, people with lung or heart disease or suffering stroke and some elderly people. Although surgical masks are designed to prevent respiratory secretions of the wearer from entering the air, one that has high filtration may be beneficial in instances when an N95 mask can’t be used if it’s fitted correctly.
Are air purifiers a good investment, and how effective are they in eliminating air pollutants?
They can certainly help and I have them in bedrooms in my own home. Make sure they have a HEPA filter though as these models are capable of dealing with a proportion of the particles we’re talking about.
Thanks Doctor Ho, we can breathe a bit easier now that we’re armed with some info.
Image by Choo Yut Shing
Top Tips for Purchasing an Air Purifier
Right for the Job: make sure it has a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. These models are your best bet in combating the haze. They are capable of removing 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns or larger.
Fan Club: selecting a model with an inbuilt fan will mean the machine can suck in air and clean it more efficiently. The downside is that it can be noisier. Check out the decibels in store before you buy.
Size Matters: while a small air purifier will do the job for small room such as a bedroom, a large room demands a larger unit so be sure to check how much ground the model can reasonably cover.
Location, Location, Location: placement matters when deciding where to put the unit. Locate the air purifier where the most air can pass through it freely.
Regular Check-up: with some tender loving care, your air purifier will care for your family more effectively. Change filters and clean the electrostatic collection plates regularly.