Smog Blog part 1: Smoke on the Water

Air traffic control tower at Changi International Airport, Singapore

June 25th 2013

PSI - 87

Over the wing of a flight from Singapore to KL

June 25th 2013

API - 189

View of KL from HELP University Residence

June 25th 2013

API - 186

Slash and Burn practices on the Indonesian island of Sumatra and unfavorable wind conditions have led to a serious health crisis in Malaysia and Singapore. Schools on the peninsula have been closed intermittently as air quality has decreased to hazardous levels. Though the haze is slowly getting better, many still find it uncomfortable to be outside for long periods of time.

There is no standard index of air quality. Singapore's PSI (Pollution Standards Index) is similar but not identical to Malaysia's API (Air Pollution Index.)