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Cause and effect

Hazy skies has some asthmatics feeling under the weather. -TNP
Aida Johan and Nathaniel Fetalvero
Mon, Sep 10, 2012
The New Paper
SINGAPORE - The rain on Friday brought relief to Leo Joubert Burgos.
The 17-year-old student, who has asthma, has been concerned about the haze which hit Singapore about
three days ago.
He visits his family in the Philippine capital Manila regularly. The poor air quality there has led to asthma
attacks on occasion.
Leo, who takes asthma medication Symbricort and Ventolin, said: "I get a very slight shortness of breath now,
not as bad as in the Philippines, but I'm still watching out for the haze."
Miss Joanna Ho, a student, said she had also been affected by the haze.
"It's more about the sinus in my case," the 18-year-old said.
"When my sinus gets worse, then my asthma increases because the backslide of the mucus and phlegm clogs
up my nose and throat."
Miss Elyss Tai, 18, who also has asthma, is already feeling the effect of the haze.
"I do take my medication for my sinus and asthma, but my sinus is getting really bad. I'm actually recovering
from a fever now," she said.
The overall 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) issued by the National Environmental Agency at 4pm on
Friday ranged from 57 to 68.
A PSI reading of 51 to 100 is considered "moderate" air quality.
The haze occurs every year and is caused by farmers and logging companies burning forests to clear land for
cultivation in Indonesia between June and September.
Land-clearing by fire has been outlawed by the Indonesian government, but the ban is ignored in many
places.
Not affected
But not everyone is feeling the ill effects of the haze.
Despite the dust particles clouding up the air, student Mr Farez Juraimi, 19, said: "I haven't been affected by
the haze. My asthma's under control."
He does not take any medication for asthma regularly, but takes Ventolin during sudden attacks.
Senior Consultant Respiratory Physician at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre Philip Eng said he hadn't seen a
spike in the number of people seeking help for respiratory issues linked to the haze.
He said: "There's yet to be any major cases (of asthma). It's too early to see the effect, since it has only been
two days."
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