By :-

Adnan AbdullahMedic/Radio Operator

FSO Orkid

What is Haze?

Haze is tiny particulates suspended in the atmosphere.

At high concentrations, these particulates scatter

and absorb sunlight resulting in diminished

horizontal visibility.

Haze is not confined to urban environments; it

may also be observed in rural areas.

Haze Particles - Their Origin

The particles that cause the haze phenomenon can originate from many sources, some of which are natural and some

anthropogenic.

Natural sources include the oceans, forests and ground surface.

The majority are from human activities which include open burning,

land clearing, vehicular use and combustion of fossil fuels in industrial

boilers.

What is the effect of the haze on our health?

Haze particles may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat in healthy individuals.  Such irritation resolves on

its own in most cases.

Haze particles can affect the heart and lungs, especially in people who already have chronic heart or

lung disease e.g. asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure.

There may be up to 1-3 day time lag between exposure to haze and health effects/ symptoms.

PSI (Pollutant Standards Index) Level

PSI Value- Air Quality Descriptor0 – 50 Good51 – 100 Moderate101 – 200 Unhealthy201 – 300 Very unhealthyAbove 300 Hazardous

24-hour PSI Healthy persons Elderly, pregnant women,

children

Persons with chronic lung disease, heart disease, or stroke  

<100 (Good/Moderate) Normal activities Normal activities Normal activities

101- 200 (Unhealthy)Minimise prolonged** or strenuous*** outdoor physical exertion

Minimise prolonged** outdoor activity

Avoid all outdoor activity 

If outdoor activity is unavoidable, wear an N95 mask.^^  

201 – 300

(Very Unhealthy)

 

Avoid prolonged** or strenuous*** outdoor physical exertion

 Wear N95 mask if prolonged**  and strenuous*** outdoor activity is unavoidable

Avoid  outdoor activity  

If prolonged** outdoor activity is unavoidable, for adults, use an N95 mask.^^

 

Avoid all outdoor activity 

If outdoor activity is unavoidable, wear an N95 mask.^^  

>300 (Hazardous)

 

Minimise all outdoor exposure

 Wear N95 mask if outdoor activity is unavoidable

Avoid outdoor activity

 If outdoor activity is unavoidable, for adults, use an N95 mask.^^

Avoid all outdoor activity

 If outdoor activity is unavoidable, wear an N95 mask.^^  

Health Advisory for General Public and Workers

What is advice to the public on what to do?

Please try to minimise exposure by reducing outdoor activities and physical exertionThis means staying indoors, and reducing the length of exposure and

strenuous work if you need to be outside.

Use an N95 mask where appropriate, depending on how healthy you are, the PSI level and the time you

need to spend outside. 

Drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated

How Can We Reduce The Incidence Of Haze?

We should refrain from open burning of waste. Most incidences of local haze can be traced to this activity.

Motor vehicles, due to their increasing numbers, are also major sources of haze particulates in urban areas.

To reduce haze, vehicles should be well maintained. Choose fuels which are the least polluting.

Large scale land clearing which exposes large tracts of barren land, not only results in soil erosion and

degradation, but also provides a source of particulates to the atmosphere. Promoting efforts such as rapid replanting and staggered land clearing can reduce

haze.

Remember - every individual has a role to play to preserve the quality of our environment as a legacy for

our future generations.