Dangerous air quality in southeast Asia
- 11 years ago
For nearly a week, a thick, choking haze has hung over parts of southeast Asia.
Visibility in Singapore has gone from bad to worse making outdoor work particularly dangerous.
Construction workers in Singapore loosen their limbs during morning exercises, but today they're doing it while wearing face masks.
A pollution index above 300 is considered hazardous to your health... and at noon on Friday Singapore's index was 401.
The smoke is coming from Indonesia, where farmers slash and burn their fields to make way for more crops. It's a chronic problem, but one that is not easily remedied.
Government officials are in Indonesia to find a solution although Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says the haze could last for weeks, or longer.
The residual smoke wafting over Singapore has prompted government officials to issue health warnings for children and the elderly to stay indoors.
Visibility in Singapore has gone from bad to worse making outdoor work particularly dangerous.
Construction workers in Singapore loosen their limbs during morning exercises, but today they're doing it while wearing face masks.
A pollution index above 300 is considered hazardous to your health... and at noon on Friday Singapore's index was 401.
The smoke is coming from Indonesia, where farmers slash and burn their fields to make way for more crops. It's a chronic problem, but one that is not easily remedied.
Government officials are in Indonesia to find a solution although Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says the haze could last for weeks, or longer.
The residual smoke wafting over Singapore has prompted government officials to issue health warnings for children and the elderly to stay indoors.