The haze is back in Singapore. But until the Indonesian government finds a permanent fix to this tricky problem, we’ll have to resort to other ways of coping.
Luckily, there are plenty of apps, websites, and gadgets out there to deal with the dusty air, ranging from air purifiers to apps that tell you the current PSI level, to online shopping sites that stock up on masks. Here’s a sampling of ways you can cope:
Apps for checking PSI readings
If you’re outdoors and the view looks suspiciously foggy, it’s time to check the PSI reading. The National Environment Agency has something for you: a really nice mobile app developed by buuuk called myENV (not a great name though). It’s probably the best one for general weather data and PSI readings in Singapore. It has an intuitive and pretty interface that feeds you information at a glance based on your location. It even indicates if where you’re standing on is a dengue hotspot. Available on iOS and Android.
But what if a general weather app isn’t your thing, and all you need is a simple app to tell you whether to don that face mask? You’re well covered. The prettiest and most minimalist of the lot are Haze Singapore on iOS and SG PSI Meter for Windows Phone. But if you’d like your cutesy Merlion to go with the PSI reading, download Haze@SG (iOS and Android).
If you’re at your desk and deciding whether to head out for lunch, nothing beats NEA’s website for PSI readings.
Trapping the haze with air purifiers
Closing the windows and turning on the air-conditioner can fight haze a little bit, but the next step is to get a decent air purifier that’ll trap those micro-particles. Filters aren’t gimmicks, they’re recommended by doctors and help prevent chronic heart and lung problems.
Air filters come in four types: carbon, photo-catalytic, ultraviolet (UV), and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA). Photo-catalytic and UV filters are great for removing bacteria, mould, and viruses. Carbon filters are best at sucking up odor.
HEPA filters are probably the best for tackling smog, since they remove particles of 0.3 microns and above. That doesn’t mean you should stop wearing your N95 masks though if things get too hazy, since these masks trap particles smaller than 0.3 microns.
Another consideration to make is to buy the right air filters for the right room size. For example, if your air filter covers only half of the living room, getting one more would be adequate. Purifiers from trusted brands like Sharp, Philips, Airion, and Hitachi should do the job.
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, Beijing company Smart Air has filters that work just by putting them over conventional fans. The advantage is that they’re really cheap (no more than S$100). If you understand Chinese, you can buy these HEPA purifiers from Taobao (or use this Taobao guide for English-language speakers).
Our in-house Taobao shopping expert says that delivery to Singapore usually takes three to four days by air, or two to three weeks by sea.
A Singapore startup called AiRazor (pronounced Air Razor) also has a similar product. But instead of removing particles larger than 0.3 microns, it takes away the really small ones – it’s like an N95 mask for your room. You can order its filters on the website.
Buying your N95 masks online
You can’t stay indoors forever when the haze gets thick. You still have things to do, groceries to buy. But when you do need to leave the house, wearing an N95 mask is essential. Fortunately, you can buy it from the comfort of your home.
Unity Healtcare has an online shopping site, but the user experience is broken. It needs to “approve” you after registration, and god knows how long that’ll take. My attempts to sign in before I got approved resulted in my account getting disabled. Better places to buy include Amazon, Qoo10, and of course, Taobao.
So that’s it for now. The haze is not something we can control, but these tools can help us mitigate the harmful effects. Time to fish out your credit cards and smartphones.
See more: Singapore Haze Craze Lights a Fire on Social Media [INFOGRAPHIC]
Haze in Singapore: apps, purifiers, and sites to help you cope
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