Singapore’s Emergency Preparedness for Transboundary Haze · 2015-10-26 · Clean Air Asia and...

Clean Air Asia and FECO-MEP’s 10th China City Air Quality

Management Workshop, Beijing, China

Singapore’s Emergency Preparedness

for Transboundary Haze

24 June 2014

Indrani C Rajaram

Chief Scientific Officer/Project Director

Pollution Control Department, National Environment Agency

1

• Air Pollution and Control Strategies

• Air Quality Monitoring and Reporting

• Transboundary Haze Affecting Singapore

• Whole-of-Government (WOG) Response to Haze

• Enhancements to Air Quality Reporting and Health Advisory in 2014

• Contingency Plans for Schools and Workplaces

• Preparations for 2014 Haze Season

Outline

1 Air Pollution and Control Strategies

3

Singapore’s air quality has steadily improved over the years

PSI in the ‘Good’ range 94% of the time in 2013,

compared to 70% 15 years ago

68

49

61 64

49

70 65

70

83 82

93 88 88

85

95 96 91 93 96 93 94

32

46

39 36

48

30 35

30

17 18

7

12 12 14

5 4 9 7

4 7

4 5 3 1 1 1

0

20

40

60

80

100

93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13

% o

f D

ays

AIR QUALITY IN TERMS OF PSI (1993 TO 2013)

Good Moderate Unhealthy Very Unhealthy4

Air Pollution and Control Strategies

• Motor vehicles e.g. diesel vehicles account for about 50% of PM2.5

• Industries e.g. refineries & power stations account for more than 80% of SO2

Domestic sources of air pollution

• Smoke haze from land and forest fires in the region

Transboundary sources

• Integrated urban & industrial planning

• Development control

• Legislation, enforcement programme and monitoring

Air pollution management & control strategies

• SO2 and PM2.5 are of concern • NO2 and CO meet WHO AQGs. PM10 and ozone are marginally above WHO AQG

Pollutants of concern

2020 Air Quality Targets for Singapore

Pollutant Singapore Targets

By 2020

Long Term Targets

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) 24-hour mean : 50 µg/m3

(WHO Interim Target)

Annual mean : 15 µg/m3

(Sustainable Singapore Blueprint)

24-hour mean : 20 µg/m3

(WHO Final)

PM2.5

Annual mean: 12 µg/m3

(Sustainable Singapore Blueprint)

24-hour mean: 37.5 µg/m3

(WHO Interim Target)

Annual mean: 10 µg/m3

24-hour mean: 25 µg/m3

(WHO Final)

PM10 Annual mean: 20 µg/m3

24-hour mean: 50 µg/m3

(WHO Final)

Ozone 8-hour mean: 100 µg/m3

(WHO Final)

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Annual mean: 40 µg/m3

1-hour mean: 200 µg/m3 (WHO Final)

Carbon monoxide (CO) 8-hour mean: 10 mg/m3

1-hour mean: 30 mg/m3

(WHO Final)

2 Air Quality Monitoring and

Reporting

7

• Air quality monitoring undertaken by the Pollution Control Department

• Telemetric Air Quality Monitoring and Management System:

- 14 fixed air quality monitoring stations and a mobile station

- Continuous monitoring of PM10, PM2.5, SO2, Ozone , CO and NOx

- 9 more stations by Aug 2014

• Continuous monitoring of 56 VOCs using GC-FID Detection system

Air Quality Monitoring

Air Quality Reporting- Pollutant Standards Index (PSI)

• Since 1991 daily air quality levels reported in terms of the PSI

based on PM10, SO2, Ozone, NO2 and CO

• 3-h PSI based on 3-h average PM10 concentrations is reported

during haze period

• Air quality reporting system has been enhanced in Aug 2012

and 1 Apr 2014

• In Aug 2012, as part of a transition to a more comprehensive air

quality reporting system to provide useful air quality information to the

public, NEA started releasing PM2.5 readings in addition to the PSI.

Concentrations of PM10, SO2, NO2, CO and O3 were also published.

• PSI readings were released 3 times a day at 8 am, 12 noon and 4 pm

daily for the north, south, east , west and central regions of Singapore

on NEA’s website and through NEA’s MyEnv Apps.

• Health advisories for haze were issued based on PSI taking into

consideration PM2.5

Enhancements to Air Quality Reporting System in Apr 2012

3 Transboundary Haze Affecting

Singapore

11

Transboundary Smoke Haze Affecting Singapore

• Transboundary smoke haze from land and forest fires during the traditional

dry season from June to October has been a perennial problem in the

southern ASEAN region in the past decade. Situation in some years is

aggravated by the El Nino phenomenon.

• These fires are caused mainly by land clearing and ‘slash and burn’

agricultural practices in Indonesia, particularly Sumatra and Kalimantan.

• Peat lands in the region are also prone to fires during the dry season.

• Smoke haze from such activities can be carried over to Singapore and is

dependent on factors such as the proximity and extent of the fires, the

strength and direction of the prevailing winds, and the incidence and

amount of rain.

• Singapore saw its worst haze episode in 2013 when the 24-hour PSI hit an

unprecedented high of 246 on 20 June 2013, exceeding the levels during

the 1994 (Highest PSI 142), 1997 (Highest PSI 138) and 2006 (Highest

PSI 128) haze episodes.

• Jun 2013 – Onset of Southwest Monsoon season and the traditional

dry season in the southern ASEAN region

• Smoke haze from land and forest fires in central Sumatra started

affecting Singapore on 13 Jun 2013

• 14th to 19th Jun, hotspot activities increased in Sumatra and smoke

plumes were observed in central Sumatra in Riau. Hotspot counts

increased from 48 (14th Jun) to 173 (19th Jun) and reached a

maximum of 437 on 24th Jun.

• Prevailing winds were SW/W during the haze period.. Wind changed

from SW to South/Southeast from 24th Jun13 bringing about an

improvement in air quality

• Air quality went into the ‘Unhealthy” range on 5 days and “Very

Unhealthy” range on 3 days

Jun 2013 Haze Episode

Haze Situation - 19 Jun 2013 & 24 Jun 2013

NOAA 18Satellite 19 Jun 2013 0752UTC

4:36pm, 24

June 2013

Dumai Muar

KL

Singapore

Singapore’s Air Quality : 24-hr PSI - 13 Jun to 1 Jul

5 days in “Unhealthy” range

3 days in “Very Unhealthy” range

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

PS

I

(North) (South) (East)

(West) (Central)

D

Date/ Time

Good (0 - 50)

Moderate (51 - 100)

Unhealthy (101 - 200)

Very Unhealthy (201 - 300)

21 Jun: 24-hr PSI 239

20 Jun: 24-hr PSI 237

22 Jun: 24-hr PSI 246

Air Quality Situation in Peninsular Malaysia - 21 Jun to 23 Jun 2013

Date Area with Highest 24-h

API at 7am

Area with Highest 24-h

API at 11 am

Area with Highest 24-h

API at 5 pm

21 Jun

Pasir Gudang, Johor

(API: 310, Hazardous)

Pasir Gudang, Johor


Muar, Johor

(API: 273, Very

Unhealthy)

22 Jun Muar, Johor

(API: 276, Very

Unhealthy)

Muar, Johor


Kota Tinggi, Johor

(API: 189, Unhealthy)

23 Jun Muar, Johor (API: 746, Hazardous)

[Malacca: 334 – 357,

Hazardous]

Muar, Johor


[Malacca: 415 – 428,

Hazardous]

Muar, Johor


[Malacca: 373 – 443,

Hazardous]

Note:

Dumai (Riau) to Muar (Johor) : 130 km

Dumai (Riau) to Singapore : 265 km

Muar (Johor) to Singapore : 195 km

4 Whole-of-Government (WOG)

Response to Haze

17

• Arising from the 1994 haze which affected Singapore badly, an

inter-agency Haze Task Force has been formed to deal with the

smoke haze.

• The HTF coordinates the actions of 23 ministries and government

agencies to mitigate the impact of haze on the public, in particular

the more vulnerable sections of the population such as the young

and elderly.

• HTF is chaired by NEA.

• HTF has in place Haze Action Plans, which will be activated should

the 24-hr PSI exceed 100 and go into the “unhealthy” range.

• Agencies/Ministries have haze support plans for areas they

oversee

Haze Task Force

Haze Support Plans

Haze Support Plans cover the following areas:

Areas Description

Environment • To advise on the environmental impacts of haze

• To provide air quality monitoring data and updates on the

meteorological conditions

Health and Safety • To provide advisories on health impacts of potential health impacts

of smoke haze

• To advise on worker safety issues

Transport

(Land, Aviation and

Maritime)

• To alert and provide advice to the transport operators in the event

where visibility is reduced

Public

Communication

• To ensure a coordinated and WOG communication effort

Infrastructures and

Facilities

• To provide recommendations on building design and layout so as

to mitigate the impact of haze on indoor air quality

Education and

Community

• To provide advice and ensure the smooth operation of educational

institutes and the community

Security • To moderate training of security forces during a smoke haze event

• Concerns about the use of N95 masks and availability of

mask

• Concerns about timely and accurate information regarding the

haze being released to the public.

• Worries about stop work or school closure

• Unhappiness that not enough is being done to stop the

regional haze

Public Reaction to the Jun 2013 Haze

Coordinated Response to Jun 2013 Haze

As 3-h PSI exceeded 200 on 19 Jun, the multi-agency Haze Task Force

(HTF) was convened

When 3-h PSI soared to 321 on 19 Jun 2200hrs, Minister (MEWR) gave a

press conference to inform Singaporeans on the haze situation

As haze worsened on 20 Jun, PM Lee announced the formation of the Haze

Inter-Ministerial Committee to spearhead WOG efforts

Multi-agency approach adopted to develop health advisory for different

segments of the public and for workers

Multi-pronged approach to assure public, including dissemination of

information, releasing stockpile of masks to public, release of sectoral plans

for different segments such a schools, childcare centre, etc

Medical Subsidy Scheme for Jun 2013 Haze Episode

• A Haze Subsidy Scheme was introduced by the government on 21 June

2013 when air quality went into the “Very Unhealthy” range

• It was implemented as a special scheme to ensure that vulnerable groups

of Singaporeans had convenient access to affordable treatment for haze-

related conditions.

• Under this scheme, medical fees were capped at $10 for eligible

Singapore citizens seeking treatment at participating GP clinics or

polyclinics for haze-related conditions, with Ministry of Health (MOH)

subsidising the remaining costs for the patient.

• More than 670 GP clinics participated in the scheme. Over 17,000 haze-

related attendances were seen at the GP clinics and polyclinics, with

close to $500,000 in government subsidies provided.

• With the end of the dry season in the region, and assessment that the

likelihood of trans-boundary haze affecting Singapore for the rest of 2013

was low, the Haze Subsidy Scheme ceased on 31 Oct 2013.

• Public demand for N95 masks rose sharply due to the sudden onset of

haze of the severe haze situation. This resulted in a supply shortfall

among retailers

• MOH pushed out their stockpile of N95 masks for flu pandemic into the

market to alleviate shortfall

• A distribution scheme was worked out by the government agencies to

disseminate masks to retailers as well as to the needy and vulnerable

residents via grassroots channels and People’s Association.

Availability of Mask during Jun 2013 Haze

Dissemination of Air Quality Information

• NEA increased frequency of reporting

air quality readings from 3 times a day

to hourly and round the clock

• New microsite www.haze.gov.sg with

links to key government websites was

set up to serve as a one-stop portal for

the public to view all haze-related

information

• 24-h PSI forecast for the next 24 hours

and health advisory was issued daily at

6 pm

• Daily press briefings were held to

address media queries and provide

haze situation updates

24

http://www.haze.gov.sg/

5 Enhancements to Air Quality Reporting

and Health Advisory in 2014

25

• In Apr 2014, NEA moved to a unified air quality reporting system which

incorporates PM2.5 into the PSI. PSI is now based on the worst of 6 pollutants

( PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, CO and O3)

• 3-hour PSI readings reported during haze enhanced to take into

consideration PM2.5, to better reflect up-to-date PM2.5 readings in a

responsive manner during periods of smoke haze

• 1-hour PM2.5 concentration levels were also made available.

• Enhanced PSI offers continuity from the previous PSI reporting system and

builds on a system that is well understood and that the public is accustomed

to and refer to for guidance on their daily activities.

• Due to the incorporation of the PM2.5 into the PSI, more days will be

classified as ‘Moderate” compared to before, even though the air quality has

not changed.

Enhanced Air Quality Reporting System from 1 Apr 2014

Breakpoints for Revised PSI

Reporting of Air Quality Data

• Air quality information is updated hourly

• Information is available on the NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg),

the haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg), NEA Facebook

(www.facebook.com/NEASingapore), NEA Twitter (@NEAsg) and

smart phone app, MyENV.

Understanding revised 24-hr, 3-hr PSI & 1-hr PM2.5 Concentration

Revised Health Advisory for the General Public The health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status (e.g. whether one has pre-existing chronic

heart or lung disease), the PSI level, and the duration and intensity of outdoor activity. Reducing outdoor

activities and physical exertion can help limit the ill effects from haze exposure. Persons who are not

feeling well, especially the elderly and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should

seek medical attention.

24-hour PSI Healthy persons Elderly, pregnant women,

children

Persons with chronic lung

disease, heart disease

≤100

(Good/Moderate) Normal activities Normal activities Normal activities

101 – 200

(Unhealthy)

Reduce prolonged or

strenuous outdoor physical

exertion

Minimise prolonged or


exertion

Avoid prolonged or strenuous

outdoor physical exertion

201 – 300

(Very Unhealthy)

Avoid prolonged or


exertion

Minimise outdoor activity Avoid outdoor activity

>300

(Hazardous) Minimise outdoor activity Avoid outdoor activity Avoid outdoor activity

Prolonged = continuous exposure for several hours

Strenuous = involving a lot of energy or effort

Reduce = do less

Minimise = do as little as possible

Avoid = do not do

30

Posters on Health Advisory

http://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/pressRoom/Current_Issues/2014/haze.html

31

Revised Health Advisory: Employers and Employees

24-Hour PSI Healthy

employees Elderly, pregnant

employees Employees with

chronic lung

disease, heart

disease

General measures to be taken by employers

≤100 (Good/Moderate)

Normal activities Normal activities Normal activities Initiate preparatory measures to protect the safety and

health of employees against the effects of haze

101-200

(Unhealthy) Reduce prolonged

or strenuous outdoor

work

Minimise prolonged

or strenuous outdoor

work

Avoid prolonged or

strenuous outdoor

work

Take risk mitigating measures such as use of

mechanical aids, job rotation, instituting indoor rest

breaks, ensuring adequate hydration etc

201-300 (Very Unhealthy)

Avoid prolonged or

strenuous outdoor

work

Minimise outdoor

work Avoid outdoor work Take risk mitigating measures such as use of

mechanical aids, job rotation, instituting indoor rest

breaks, ensuring adequate hydration etc If prolonged or strenuous outdoor work is not

avoidable, and an employer still requires an employee

to do so due to extenuating circumstances, masks

should be provided > 300

(Hazardous) Minimise outdoor

work Avoid outdoor work Avoid outdoor work Take additional risk mitigating measures such as job

redeployment, reducing the intensity and duration of

outdoor work, institute regular breaks or deferment of

non-essential jobs. If outdoor work is not avoidable, and an employer still

requires an employee to do so due to extenuating

circumstances, masks or appropriate respirators

should be provided Risk assessment should consider the additional risk

posed by poor visibility for work activities such as

lifting operations involving tower and mobile cranes

Prolonged = continuous exposure for several hours

Strenuous = involving a lot of energy or effort

Reduce = do less

Minimise = do as little as possible

Avoid = do not do

32

6 Contingency Plans for Schools and

Workplace

33

School’s Continuity Plan for Haze Episodes by the Ministry of Education

Category Management Measures

(Good/Moderate)

≤100

Normal activities

101-200

(Unhealthy)

Minimise outdoor activities such as outdoor assembly, outdoor camps and sports activities.

Students and staff who are unwell will be temporarily accommodated in an air-conditioned room

with an air purifier, before they are taken to seek medical attention. Parents of these students will

also be notified.

Students with pre-existing lung and heart conditions or are unwell will be exempted from all physical

exercise.

201-300

(Very Unhealthy)

No physical exercises (indoor and outdoor).

Classroom lessons will continue, but lessons may be modified as appropriate. For instance,

students may be assigned work that can be completed at their desks.



also be notified.

Students with pre-existing lung and heart conditions will be moved to enclosed indoor spaces, such

as school library.

> 300

(Hazardous)

Schools will scale down lessons.

All students, including those with pre-existing lung and heart conditions, will be in enclosed indoor

spaces, including classrooms with doors and windows fully closed. Schools will spread out students

across the enclosed indoor spaces, such as the library, to allow for better thermal comfort and

ventilation.



also be notified.

• MOE will consider closing all primary and secondary schools if the air

quality forecast for the next day is “hazardous” (PSI>300). School-based

student care centres will not operate during periods of closure.

• Announcement on school closure will be at the same time that the

forecast is released. Schools will inform parents of school closure via

phone or SMS.

• Kindergartens and child care centres will also be closed if schools are

closed.

• Parents have been advised to make advance care arrangements for

their children for such an eventuality

• Employers have been advised to exercise greater workplace flexibility in

enabling their employees to care for their children.

Closure of Primary and Secondary Schools

• Considerations for closure of these institutions are different

from schools as most of the teaching and learning takes

place in enclosed indoor spaces, such as air-conditioned

lecture theatres, and the students are older (>16 years).

• MOE will work closely with junior colleges and PSEIs to

ensure student well-being.

• Junior colleges and PSEIs will monitor the haze situation

and adopt appropriate management measures in

accordance with the health advisory. If necessary, outdoor

activities may be replaced with alternative indoor

arrangements, postponed or cancelled.

Post-Secondary Education Institutions (PSEIs) and Junior Colleges

7 Preparations for 2014 Haze Season

37

• The SW Monsoon season, the traditional dry season for the southern

ASEAN region has set in in early Jun and would typically last to Sep/

early Oct.

• Meteorological Service Singapore has forecast weak to moderate El

Nino conditions to develop in the next few months, which could

exacerbate the drier and warmer conditions over Singapore and the

region during the SW Monsoon season

• This is likely to increase the risk of occurrence of transboundary

smoke haze

• NEA has commenced daily haze forecasts and health advisory from 16

Jun 2014

• Some practical tips for households to reduce exposure to haze

particles have been made available.

Preparations for 2014 Haze Season

• MOH is working with healthcare providers (polyclinics, GP and other

partners) to ensure that the healthcare sector is adequately

prepared for haze

• Contingency plans are in place to ensure that patients in acute and

community hospitals, and in nursing homes, are not adversely affected

by the haze.

• Haze Subsidy Scheme will be re-activated if the situation warrants it.

• MOH has advised that N95 mask is generally not needed for healthy

adults, except when air quality becomes hazardous (PSI >300) and

they need to perform outdoor activity for prolonged periods. N95 masks

are not needed for short exposure to haze e.g. commuting from home

to school or work or for indoor environment.

• Government has put together a stockpile of 16 million N95 masks to

help ease supply shortages if required. MOH has also pre-positioned

masks with distributers and the People’s Association

Preparations for Haze – Health Sector

• Schools are ready to implement their haze management plans

and briefings have been held for school principals and

administrators

• If necessary, outdoor school activities would be replaced with

alternative indoor arrangements, postponed or cancelled.

• MinistryOE would consider closing all primary and secondary

schools when the haze forecast and health advisory for the next

day indicates that the air quality will be at hazardous level.

• Closure of kindergartens and childcare centres will be aligned to

the closure of schools

Preparations for 2014 Haze Season - Schools

• The Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC) has issued bulletin to

its 33,000 subscribers on the revised guidelines for employees and

employers for haze.

• WSHC has been engaging various industry associations whose members’

employees perform prolonged/ strenuous outdoor work activities, to

increase haze awareness.

• There is no pre-determined haze level at which all work would have to be

stopped. Essential services will continue, with appropriate necessary

adjustments.

• Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has informed employers to carry out proper

risk assessments of their work activities and implement appropriate

measures to ensure that the risks identified are minimised or mitigated

during haze.

• In situations where the haze poses risks to the safety and health of workers

and measures have not been taken to mitigate those risks, MOM may

order the affected work to stop.

• MOM has set up communication channels (hotlines and emails) for workers

to report significant safety concerns on outdoor work during haze episodes

Preparations for 2014 Haze Season- Workplace

Safeguard • Nurture • Cherish

42

Singapore’s Emergency Preparedness for Transboundary Haze · 2015-10-26 · Clean Air Asia and...

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Transcript of Singapore’s Emergency Preparedness for Transboundary Haze · 2015-10-26 · Clean Air Asia and...