Haze crisis from Indonesian fires could

be worst ever for Southeast Asia

Haz
y Singapore, taken on September 24, 2015. Pic: Charles Collier (Flickr CC)

By Graham Land Oct 22, 2015

As another Hazepocalypse plagues Southeast Asia, the people and governments of
Indonesia and neighboring countries are becoming increasingly desperate for a
solution.
Each year land-clearing, agricultural forest fires in parts of Southeast Asia primarily
in Indonesia produce a haze that blankets much of the region, causing significant
health risks as well as public outrage, mostly emanating from places like Singapore as
well as urban areas of Malaysia and Indonesia itself. Social media has become a

popular place for the airing of haze-related grievances.

Haze not just an Indonesian problem
While the majority of fires are set in rural Indonesia, in which farmers use
rudimentary slash-and-burn techniques to clear scrub or create fields, many of the
land developers are in fact based in Singapore and Malaysia. The three countries
wealthy palm, paper, pulp and lumber industries reap the benefits while ordinary
people pay the price with their health and sometimes their lives.

While anything above a 300 on the Pollution Standard Index is considered hazardous
to human health, the city of Palangkaraya, located in Indonesias Central Kalimantan

province, has recently recorded levels as high as 2,000 PSI.

According to the countrys health ministry, instances of respiratory illness, particularly
among children, have seen a dramatic increase. There were some reports earlier this
week of visibility being as low as 20 meters in parts of Indonesia.
While the residents of Singapore are more aware of the dangers the haze brings, people
in far worse affected places like Palankaraya need to be informed of the dangers of
smog inhalation and how to best take precautions. This includes avoiding exercise and
wearing high-quality N95 masks like the ones currently being distributed by relief
workers.
One lesson we learnt was that haze awareness is key. Though people
may politely receive the N95 masks they are given, they will only use
them if they truly understand the long-term health impacts of inhaling
fine particulates from the haze. Aid worker Jonathan How
(via BBC)
International reactions to SE Asias haze problem

Follow
Chua Chin Hon @chinhon
What PSI 2,000 looks like in Central Kalimantan; via @infoRIAU HT
@yennikwok
5:58 AM - 19 Oct 2015

The scale of pollution in parts of Southeast Asia warrants emergency actions. In urban
areas, which already suffer from poor air quality due to year-round vehicular traffic
and factory emissions, this includes the distribution of masks and educating the public.
But there are also efforts to stop the pollution at its source.
Troops from Singapore have reportedly extinguished fires at 35 hotspots in

Indonesia. Forty soldiers from the city-state have so far performed 47 waterbombing operations since their October 10 deployment.
Russia has pledged to send two amphibious water-bombing airplanes to
Indonesian Sumatra in order to assist efforts extinguishing forest fires.
Both Malaysia and Australia have already performed five-day fire-fighting
missions in Indonesia.
Health officials on the Philippine island of Mindanao have issued

bulletinswarning residents in cities such as Davao to take precautions due to the

smog. Those with respiratory problems have been especially advised to limit
outdoor activities.
Authorities in South Thailand have issued similar advice, adding warnings for
fishing vessels, which may have troubles with visibility, particularly during
nighttime hours.
Malaysia and Singapore have been forced to cancel activities such as sporting
events and school classes to deal with the increased health risks posed by the
haze.
Scientist Robert Field of NASAs Goddard Institute for Space Studies warned that due
to a forecasted long dry season, this years haze is set to be the worst ever recorded in
the region.
Posted by Thavam