Haze advisory for coastal cleanup Organisers: monitor the 24-hour PSI forecast and the 1-hour PM2.5 hourly levels

Dear Organisers,

Do read and understand the information in these links:

• Advisory – link (PDF)
• Haze readings – https://www.haze.gov.sg

Do adopt these NEA recommendations.

Individuals who are unhealthy or sensitive to smoke should be advised to opt out of the cleanups even at moderate levels.

If your participants are all healthy individuals,

1. Examine the 24-hour PSI forecast the previous night to decide if you ahould attempt go ahead.

• The two paragraphs of the forecast are provided under the headings, “Air Quality” and “Health Advisory”.
• If forecast is that the levels will be moderate, i.e. < 100 PSI, you can plan to go ahead.

On the event day, refer to the 1-hr PM2.5 readings.

• Only if levels are normal, i.e. < 55 ug/m3, would you consider going ahead.
• Otherwise, call off the cleanup. 

The haze is here for sure. The 1-hour PM2.5 readings in the south today were already more than 55ug/m3. If we had a cleanup scheduled, I would have had to cancel it.

These might be conservative levels at which to cancel an event. This is because a coastal cleanup can be strenuous event, and not all individuals use an N95 mask securely whilst conducting strenuous work. We will not risk a person’s health for coastal cleanup data. As we explain during the workshops, the first principle an Organiser exercises is that of safety.

Let’s hope for good clear weather!

Stay safe and all the best!

Cheerio!

Sivasothi aka Otterman
Coordinator, ICCS