Singapore haze masks readied as pollution worsens

Singapore said on Friday it was ready to roll out a haze pollution action plan, including mask distribution, as air quality moved towards “very unhealthy” levels.

The city-state was regarded as the “most polluted global major city” early Friday by a Swiss-based air quality monitor, as haze from fires in neighbouring Indonesia continued to push up pollution.

Singapore's National Environmental Agency said it was possible that air quality levels “may enter the very unhealthy range”. The agency said it and other agencies were ready to roll out the next tier of action plans and advisories to protect public health and well-being.

The agency said the government had set aside haze-rated masks. If pollution levels entered the very unhealthy range, grassroots organisations would start distributing N95 masks to eligible Singaporeans, it said.

Mask vending machines would also be made available at selected public transport hubs and social service offices, the agency added.