Southeast Asia has been enveloped in choking haze from agricultural fires in Indonesia over the past fortnight, prompting flight cancellations, closing schools and raising fears this weekend's glitzy Formula One night race in Singapore could be affected.
President Joko Widodo instructed security forces late on Monday to accelerate efforts to extinguish the fires and revoke land permits from companies found responsible.
"The president's instruction is clear — law enforcement must be firm so that this will not happen again next year," national police chief Badrodin Haiti told reporters late Wednesday, announcing the arrests of seven palm oil, pulp and paper plantation executives.
The region has suffered for years from annual bouts of smog caused by slash-and-burn practices in Indonesia's Sumatra and Kalimantan islands, but governments in the region have failed to address the problem.
The region has suffered for years from annual bouts of smog caused by slash-and-burn practices in Indonesia's Sumatra and Kalimantan islands, but governments in the region have failed to address the problem.
The fires have been exacerbated this year by the effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon as a prolonged dry season in Indonesia has parched the top soil, fuelling the flames.
Tens of thousands have fallen ill in parts of Indonesia as the haze thickened over the past fortnight, and the smog has led to unhealthy air quality and reduced visibility in neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia.
This year's haze had already caused hundreds of millions of dollars in losses to the Indonesian economy, with further losses now expected.
Here are some answers about what causes the outbreaks and why they keep happening.
Why do the outbreaks happen and when did they start?
The main cause is illegal fires started in peatland and forest on Indonesia's Sumatra island and the Indonesian part of Borneo to quickly and cheaply clear land for palm oil and pulp and paper plantations.
They increased in number as the plantations expanded, in particular due to rising global demand for palm oil, a key ingredient in everyday goods such as shampoo and biscuits.
The outbreaks started in 1997, with what is still regarded as the most serious haze on record.
It followed rapid expansion of plantations in the preceding years, and coincided with an El Nino weather system that made conditions drier than usual in Indonesia.
Who is affected by the haze?
The haze has a devastating impact on daily life every year on Sumatra and the Indonesian part of Borneo.
This year, air quality has hit hazardous levels, tens of thousands have contracted respiratory illnesses, many flights have been cancelled and schools closed.
From Indonesia, the smog is blown over Southeast Asia, and fouls the air in neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia.
Schools were closed in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur and neighbouring states on Tuesday, while dense clouds have shrouded the skyline of financial hub Singapore.
PHOTO: Malaysia's landmark buildings in Kuala Lumpur are shrouded by haze caused by forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia.(AFP: Manan Vatsyayana)How bad is it this year?
More than 2,000 fire "hotspots", either areas already on fire or very hot and likely to soon go up in flames, were detected by satellites on Sumatra and Indonesian Borneo on Tuesday.
The situation is being exacerbated by an El Nino weather system that has made conditions tinder-dry.
The crisis eased in the past two days, with the haze having been much worse in the past.
The most serious recent outbreak was in 2013,when air quality deteriorated to the worst level for years in Singapore and Malaysia.
source: southeast-asia-haze-what-is-behind-the-annual-outbreak
| AQI | Air Pollution Level | Health Implications |
| 0 - 50 | Good | Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk |
| 51 -100 | Moderate | Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. |
| 101-150 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. |
| 151-200 | Unhealthy | Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects |
| 201-300 | Very Unhealthy | Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected. |
| 300+ | Hazardous | Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects |
Health implications of API ( air pollution index)
| API | Air Pollution Level | Health Implications; |
|---|---|---|
| 0 - 25 | Low | Not expected. |
| 26 - 50 | Medium | Not expected for the general population. |
| 51 - 100 | High | Acute health effects are not expected but chronic effects may be observed if one is persistently exposed to such levels. |
| 101 - 200 | Very High | People with existing heart or respiratory illnesses may notice mild aggravation of their health conditions. Generally healthy individuals may also notice some discomfort. |
| 201 - 500 | Severe | People with existing heart or respiratory illnesses may experience significant aggravation of their symptoms. There may also be widespread symptoms in the healthy population (e.g. eye irritation, wheezing, coughing, phlegm and sore throats). |
The air quality in Malaysia is reported as the API or Air Pollutant Index.
This scale below shows the Health classifications used by the Malaysian government.
| API | Air Pollution Level |
|---|---|
| 0 - 50 | Good |
| 51 - 100 | Moderate |
| 101 - 200 | Unhealthy |
| 201 - 300 | Very unhealthy |
| 301+ | Hazardous |
If the API exceeds 500, a state of emergency is declared in the reporting area. Usually, this means that non-essential government services are suspended, and all ports in the affected area are closed. There may also be a prohibition on private sector commercial and industrial activities in the reporting area excluding the food sector.
During 2013 ,More than 600 schools in Johor located in several areas where the Air Pollution Index (API) readings had exceeded the hazardous point of 300 were forced to close , meanwhile, schools in areas with API readings exceeding 150 were advised to avoid outdoor activities
Risks to people from the haze
This is the hidden danger for such people from haze – a mixture of suspended particles, water vapour, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and other chemicals. Though intermittent haze is unlikely to be hazardous to healthy people, it can aggravate underlying conditions. Ever since the smoke drifting here from burning forests in Indonesia pushed air quality to over 100 points on the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI),it is a signal of unhealthy air.
So how does haze hurt the body? What medical specialist say..
Nose
During inhalation, particles and chemicals irritate the nose, which secretes mucus to flush out the particles. As more mucus is produced, the nasal passage becomes blocked and the nose swells. The reaction is magnified in
people who have allergic rhinitis, If the symptoms become too severe, they can take antihistamines.
Airways and lungsThe particles may inflame the airways and the lungs as they travel downwards. The airways and lungs produce phlegm to try to get rid of the particles. The airways spasm to provoke a cough to expel the foreign matter. As phlegm narrows the
airways, more phlegm is produced, creating a vicious circle. Even people without chronic respiratory problems can suffer from breathlessness, he said.
So how does haze hurt the body? What medical specialist say..
Nose
During inhalation, particles and chemicals irritate the nose, which secretes mucus to flush out the particles. As more mucus is produced, the nasal passage becomes blocked and the nose swells. The reaction is magnified in
people who have allergic rhinitis, If the symptoms become too severe, they can take antihistamines.
Airways and lungsThe particles may inflame the airways and the lungs as they travel downwards. The airways and lungs produce phlegm to try to get rid of the particles. The airways spasm to provoke a cough to expel the foreign matter. As phlegm narrows the
airways, more phlegm is produced, creating a vicious circle. Even people without chronic respiratory problems can suffer from breathlessness, he said.
The elderly and pregnant women should also take extra care, because their lungs tend to have less capacity, he said. Worst-hit are those with asthma and chronic lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. They should keep to their daily control medication and increase the dose, if needed, They should make sure they have an adequate supply of rescue medication in case of an attack.
Heart With the nose and airways inflamed, the body is under stress and the heart pumps faster, increasing the blood pressure. The body also releases chemicals that make blood clot more easily. Higher blood pressure and the formation of blood clots can cause a heart attack, stroke or heart failure in those who have coronary heart disease or whose hearts are already beginning to fail,
Eyes
The particles and chemicals can cause burning sensations, irritate the eye into tearing to clean itself and inflame the
conjunctiva, the surface layer on the white of the eyeball. Those with a history of dry, sensitive eyes and allergic conjunctivitis are most at risk,The inflammation of the conjunctiva worsens dry eyes and adds to existing inflammation from allergic conjunctivitis, she said. Avoid wearing contact lenses and put on wrap-around glasses. Use preservative-free lubricants every hour to remove allergens. Any eye swelling can be reduced by placing a warm towel over the eyes for a minute or two. If the symptoms worsen or become severe, see an ophthalmologist, who may prescribe medications such as
topical steroids.
Skin
The haze should have little effect on healthy skin,. But those with eczema – “asthma of the skin” – may find it becoming itchy and inflamed, he said. Using moisturiser three to four times a day can help protect the skin.
General precautions
People with chronic diseases, especially serious ones such as heart and lung diseases, should stay indoors and avoid physical activity outdoors when the API hits about 100, doctors advised. Healthy people should do so when the API exceeds 200 and crosses into the unhealthy range, they said. If they have to go out, they may wish to wear surgical masks, but these may not block fine particles which can still wreak havoc on the body.
Heart With the nose and airways inflamed, the body is under stress and the heart pumps faster, increasing the blood pressure. The body also releases chemicals that make blood clot more easily. Higher blood pressure and the formation of blood clots can cause a heart attack, stroke or heart failure in those who have coronary heart disease or whose hearts are already beginning to fail,
Eyes
The particles and chemicals can cause burning sensations, irritate the eye into tearing to clean itself and inflame the
conjunctiva, the surface layer on the white of the eyeball. Those with a history of dry, sensitive eyes and allergic conjunctivitis are most at risk,The inflammation of the conjunctiva worsens dry eyes and adds to existing inflammation from allergic conjunctivitis, she said. Avoid wearing contact lenses and put on wrap-around glasses. Use preservative-free lubricants every hour to remove allergens. Any eye swelling can be reduced by placing a warm towel over the eyes for a minute or two. If the symptoms worsen or become severe, see an ophthalmologist, who may prescribe medications such as
topical steroids.
Skin
The haze should have little effect on healthy skin,. But those with eczema – “asthma of the skin” – may find it becoming itchy and inflamed, he said. Using moisturiser three to four times a day can help protect the skin.
General precautions
People with chronic diseases, especially serious ones such as heart and lung diseases, should stay indoors and avoid physical activity outdoors when the API hits about 100, doctors advised. Healthy people should do so when the API exceeds 200 and crosses into the unhealthy range, they said. If they have to go out, they may wish to wear surgical masks, but these may not block fine particles which can still wreak havoc on the body.
Children are more vulnerable as they breathe faster, have a higher metabolic rate and have lungs that are still developing,
The general health effects of haze on a healthy child are usually mild and can be treated easily. At most, they may bring symptoms like irritation of the eyes or nose, or skin rash.
However, if your child has a history of respiratory problems, sinusitis and allergic skin conditions, he or she may be more vulnerable. If your child has asthma, then the symptoms may be more severe.
An asthma attack occurs when a child suffers recurrent attacks of shortness of breath and wheezing caused by the swelling of the bronchial tubes, which in turn, narrows the air passage and reduces the flow of air in and out of the lungs.
The main reasons haze can severely affect children with asthma are because:
- They play outdoors;
- They have faster breathing rates;
- Their lungs are still developing; and
- Their lungs are more sensitive.
Symptoms to watch out for include wheezing, coughing during sleep, difficulties in breathing, and tightness in the chest area.
Your child may experience restlessness during sleep, flared nostrils, breathing through pursed lips, fatigue, breathlessness, vomiting and fast breathing.
There are also many audible warnings for asthma, including heavy wheezing, frequent throat clearing, and coughing without having a cold. It is important to watch out for all these signs.
In severe cases, the airways narrow so severely that your child is unable to breathe adequately, and this may lead to a potentially fatal situation.
These symptoms are caused by the narrowing of the air passages, resulting in reduction of air flow in and out of the lungs.
Studies show there is a consistent correlation between the quality of air and the severity of asthmatic symptoms. During hazy days, it has been proven that the increase in air pollutants reduces lung function by inflaming the lining of the lungs. The airways over-react to the trigger, and set off a number of changes that are associated with inflammation.
This explains the increased frequency of flare-ups and upper respiratory infections during hazy months.
Because asthma is a chronic condition, it cannot be cured and requires treatment with a combination of one inhaler for immediate relief and one preventer for long-term control.
A reliever medication is an inhaler that relaxes the airways, and is used whenever an attack occurs. A preventer is an inhaler which is used daily (even when there are no attacks) to reduce inflammation in the airways, thereby helping to prevent future attacks.
Therefore, it is extremely important for parents , teachers and coaches to be aware of the potential risks that children with asthma face during hazy months
Preventive measures from conditions resulting from haze. Follow these advices:-
- Those who experience diseases like cough, flu, asthma, sore eyes, heart disease or chronic lung diseases should go to the clinic immediately if the disease conditions worsen.
- Those who are in high risk group should always take medicine as advised.
- Nasal mask should be used by all motorcyclists, those who work outside building or in dusty places and those who are in the high risk group.
- Smokers who have small child, old parents and diseased relatives must not smoke in the house.
- The public are advice to stay inside their home and building as far as they can.
- Lessen sports activity outside home.
- Always wash their face and skin areas exposed to haze with clean water.
- If your vehicle is air-conditioned, please use it.
- Always drink a lot of water.
- Smoker is advised not to smoke when air situation is unhealthy (API exceeded 100).
- Those in high risk group are advised to take leave outside the hazy area if the hazy condition continues at a dangerous level at their area.
Latest API readings around Malaysia
Either the above advice or do as this guy below to breathe easier ,
unless you have a better idea.
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