Singapore Issues Health Alert as Haze Returns
10/13/97
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Headline: Singapore Issues Health Alert as Haze Returns
Source: Agence France-Presse
Date: 10/13/97
Copyright 1997 by Agence France-Presse
SINGAPORE, Oct 13 (AFP) - Singapore authorities issued a health
advisory Monday after smoky haze from forest fires in Indonesia
returned to the island despite heavy rains over the weekend.
"The elderly and persons with heart and respiratory diseases
should reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities," said the
advisory issued by the ministry of the environment.
The general population was told to "reduce vigorous outdoor
activities."
The pollutant standards index, which measures particulates in
the air, was placed at 102 early Monday, just within the unhealthy
level starting at 101.
It reached as high as 116 late Sunday when the haze returned
after a week of fine weather in Singapore due to favourable winds.
Officials say monsoon rains due in November would ease the
regional haze problem which began in May when forest fires set off
by plantations and slash and burn farmers in Indonesia triggered a
regional environmental problem.
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