Interview with Mr Desmond Lee Kok Onn
Venue: Environment Building
#11-00
Singapore 228231
Time: 1532hrs to 1610hrs GMT +0800 hrs

The haze situation for different countries can be different during different years – Singapore was not really affected by the haze, though Malaysia was severely affected. When wind blows smoke haze to other regions, it is known as transboundary pollution. It is also mentioned that Indonesia took action to extinguish the forest fires by getting a Russian aircraft. This shows Indonesia’s effort and sincerity in curbing the haze problem. The real reason behind the slashing and burning of trees is that the land is needed to grow plants like palm trees (very popular and in high demand for palm oil). If there were less demand for such plants, the situation might change for the better.

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Telephone Interview with Dr Chang Chew Hung
Venue: Raffles Instituition
Time 1035hrs to 1045hrs GMT +0800 hrs

Dr Chang mentioned that the environmental impacts were reduction in visibility and air quality. He also cleared our doubts about haze contributing to global warming. It is the cause (forest fires) that contributes to the global warming. The ones that are contributing more to the haze are usually the richer ones. They can afford the machinery, not like the subsistence farmers. 2007’s haze may not necessarily be worse as predictions are not fully accurate. Whether the haze becomes worse or not depends on the human and nature factors. Should both do things to worsen the haze, then there really is cause to worry. As the laws passed down were not followed through, many people still continued slash and burn with little chance of getting caught.

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Interview with Dr Chris Huang
Venue: Huang’s Surgery in Valley Point, Singapore
Time: 1638hrs to 1655hrs GMT +0800hrs.

From this interview, we understand that there would be many health implications caused by the haze such as skin problems, respiratory problems, eye problems and possibly other human systems that are exposed to the haze particles. Particulate matter may indirectly cause permanent damage to undeveloped lungs. HEPa filters (air purifier) and masks can be used to filter out the pollutants at indoors and outdoors respectively, but the effectiveness of the masks will be reduced after a while when the moisture from breathing wets the mask.
Doctor Huang also gave us some precautionary measures such as avoiding maximum exposure to the haze and stay indoors. Elderly and children are more advised to stay at home because they are more prone to health complications. During the haze period, Doctor Huang saw an increase of patients with respiratory problems.

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