Dust, Smoke Particles or are There More?
23,000 times. This is the average number of breaths we take in a day according to an interesting article from HeraldTribune on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Perhaps we should be more aware of the potential air pollutants that we may be breathing. Are air pollutants similar to the suffocating smoke that is liberated when we are having our barbecue sessions? Or are there more perilous air pollutants that we should be aware of?
Perhaps we should be more aware of the potential air pollutants that we may be breathing. Are air pollutants similar to the suffocating smoke that is liberated when we are having our barbecue sessions? Or are there more perilous air pollutants that we should be aware of?
Today we shall explore on the commonly monitored outdoor air pollutants and how can we utilise the air quality index to safeguard ourselves. Many countries have established their air quality standards based on World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines focusing on four major pollutants namely the particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
Probably particulate matter (PM) is considered as the most hazardous out of the four aforementioned pollutants. PM refers to mixture of suspended microscopic particles and liquid droplets such as dust particles and acidic gas droplets. The sources of PM include natural occurrences such as forest fires and volcanic activities, as well as human influences from industrial activities and vehicles. These microscopic particulate matter are health threatening as they can penetrate deep into our respiratory system and thus result in the increased risk of respiratory diseases and even lung cancer. Refer to the WHO link for more information of other air pollutants.
In Singapore, Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) is the air quality index used by the National Environment Agency (NEA) to monitor air standards. During haze episodes such as the 2013 Southeast Asia haze episode, PSI was used predominantly to monitor the particulate matter and I felt that it was informative in advising daily activities for Singaporeans through its 24-Hour and 3-Hour PSI readings. For instance, 24-Hour PSI readings help to advise employers and schools on the need to halt outdoor activities while 3-Hour PSI readings allow us to make informative decisions on our daily activities such as reducing outdoor recreational activities. Below is the PSI advisory by NEA.
Useful Links
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100112/ARTICLE/1121008?p=1&tc=pg
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/
http://www.nea.gov.sg/anti-pollution-radiation-protection/air-pollution-control/psi/psi
Probably particulate matter (PM) is considered as the most hazardous out of the four aforementioned pollutants. PM refers to mixture of suspended microscopic particles and liquid droplets such as dust particles and acidic gas droplets. The sources of PM include natural occurrences such as forest fires and volcanic activities, as well as human influences from industrial activities and vehicles. These microscopic particulate matter are health threatening as they can penetrate deep into our respiratory system and thus result in the increased risk of respiratory diseases and even lung cancer. Refer to the WHO link for more information of other air pollutants.
In Singapore, Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) is the air quality index used by the National Environment Agency (NEA) to monitor air standards. During haze episodes such as the 2013 Southeast Asia haze episode, PSI was used predominantly to monitor the particulate matter and I felt that it was informative in advising daily activities for Singaporeans through its 24-Hour and 3-Hour PSI readings. For instance, 24-Hour PSI readings help to advise employers and schools on the need to halt outdoor activities while 3-Hour PSI readings allow us to make informative decisions on our daily activities such as reducing outdoor recreational activities. Below is the PSI advisory by NEA.
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| National Environment Agency PSI Advisory http://www.nea.gov.sg/docs/default-source/anti-pollution-radiation-protection/infographic-2.pdf?sfvrsn=0 |
Useful Links
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100112/ARTICLE/1121008?p=1&tc=pg
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/
http://www.nea.gov.sg/anti-pollution-radiation-protection/air-pollution-control/psi/psi
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