Since 1997, during the annual June to October period, South East Asia would be shrouded in a blanket of haze and smoke, Singapore is no exception. The haze is a recurring annual problem in South East Asia caused by forest fires raging in Indonesia due to the local farmers' "Slash and Burn" method of clearing land for agricultural purposes. Just last month, the haze in Singapore worsened to unprecedented levels, with the 3-hourly Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hitting a record 401 on June 21, far from 1997's 226.
Air becomes hazardous when the index rosses 300. The social and economic costs arising from the haze are significant. Haze will certainly disrupt the dally activities of the people as more will stay at home to avoid inhalation of pollutants. Many outdoor activities will have to be cancelled and schools will have to be closed if the PSI reaches unhealthy range. The cancellation of the various activities will cause reduced interactions among people. The loss In recreation activities will Impact the wellbeing of the people physically and psychologically.
School programs will have to be revised to take into account of the closure and may delay the progress of their studies. At the Individual level, the haze will cause a surge in medical costs as many people demand treatment for illness brought about by It. The unhealthy alr quality will cause an Increasing number of people infected with upper respiratory tract infections, eye irritation, sore throat, sneezing and coughing. Young children and elderly people are very vulnerable to respiratory problems and cases of bronchitis and asthma will increase.People flock to purchase health products such as eye drops, face masks and air purifiers to keep themselves healthy. Loss in visibility will force car drivers to switch on headlights during the day and may also result in more car accidents on the road.
The haze is not Just a health hazard but it also has great economic repercussion. People fall ill and fewer workers will turn up for work. This reduces the productivity and efficiency of a wide range of Industries during that period of time and will cause business costs to increase.Additionally, most people will stay at home to avoid inhalation of pollutants while many others will go to air-conditioned shopping centers. Shops and businesses that are not air-conditioned will be adversely affected. This will cause great losses across businesses due to the drop In retail, with small businesses impacted most.
Singapore, being a major tourist destination, will see a great impact in our local tourism industry. Foreigners who are afraid of getting infected with respiratory problems will stop visiting Singapore and flights may even be cancelled ue to reduced visibility.Tourist related businesses such as hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and shops would lose business as a result Therefore, haze will cost Singapore significant lost in tourism revenues. The government has to put in additional effort, time and money to closely monitor the haze situation and give advisory to Its citizens. More money has to be put into the health care system (In terms of subsidies as well) to overcome the health problems arising from the haze.
Finally, it is almost certain that the haze will cause much resentment and hardship 1 situation and about their health. Therefore the emotional costs may be even more difficult to quantify. As illustrated by the above, the haze brings about great social and economic impact, and especially in the context of Singapore, these costs are even more significant. It is hoped that a permanent solution can be found to resolve the recurring problem, and that people should now learn to appreciate their clear skies better.
