We have selected specific questions and shown their results to you.
* Figures are rounded off to 2 decimal places
Question 1 (Knowledge Question)
How is the haze level measured in Singapore?
Option |
Respondents (%) |
Comments |
1) AQI |
0.00 |
- |
2) PSI |
100.00 |
Correct Answer |
3) API |
0.00 |
- |
Analysis
All survey respondents knew that the ¡°haze level¡± was measured using the PSI. This shows that respondents had an overall good basic understanding of the haze.
Question 5
(i) Has the haze affected your health in anyway?
Option |
Respondents (%) |
Comments |
1) Yes |
50.00 |
- |
2) No |
50.00 |
- |
Analysis:
From the results, the general population is evenly split over this. However, when cross-referenced with other results, it seems that most actually are affected.
(ii) If ¡°Yes¡±, could you provide us with some examples?
Option |
Respondents (%) |
Comments |
1) Respiratory difficulties |
23.08 |
- |
2) Red/Sore eyes |
20.51 |
- |
3) Sore throat |
33.34 |
- |
4) Rashes |
2.56 |
- |
5) Others |
20.51 |
Includes flu and stomach flu |
Analysis
As predicted, it seems that the most common ailments during the haze period are sore throats, respiratory difficulties and red/sore eyes.
Question 6
What precautionary measures do you take during the haze period?
Option |
Respondents (%) |
Comments |
1) None |
63.84 |
- |
2) Wear a mask when outdoors |
6.38 |
- |
3) Use a hydrating mask |
0.00 |
- |
4) Use an air purifier |
14.89 |
- |
5) Others |
14.89 |
Most common includes stay indoors. A smaller minority answered drinking more water |
Analysis
It is seems that although most of the population are conscious about the haze, they do not take much precautionary measures. Some reasons generated might be that the haze was not as bad as the 1997 one where the PSI went over 200 as compared to the highest 150 in 2006. However, it is still worrisome that not all take measure as the haze could be potentially detrimental to one¡¯s health.
Question 7
On a scale of 1 to 10, how badly has the haze affected you with 1 being it has not really made a difference to me and 10 being I am disrupted from my daily routine.
Option |
Respondents (%) |
Comments |
1) 1 |
9.09 |
- |
2) 2 |
6.82 |
- |
3) 3 |
20.45 |
- |
4) 4 |
20.45 |
- |
5) 5 |
9.09 |
- |
6) 6 |
9.09 |
- |
7) 7 |
20.45 |
- |
8) 8 |
4.55 |
- |
9) 9 |
0.00 |
- |
10) 10 |
0.00 |
- |
Analysis
Note: This question is really a sum up of the respondent¡¯s overall feelings to the haze.
It appears that most of the population are coping with the haze rather well but there is also an equal number who feel that the haze is affecting them rather badly.
Question 9
Could you kindly provide us with an explanation of your response in Q11?
Most responses indicate that the respondents do know the cause of the haze. Below is one of the more comprehensive response.
¡°The haze situation, compared to previous years, seems very much worse, save for maybe 1997. All indications also point towards the fact that the situation will probably worsen as time goes along.¡± [*Note: There have been recent news reports that meteorologist predict a worse haze this year (2007) due to El Nino]
However, there are some who clearly pointed out the actual situation.
¡°I cannot really say that. In 2005 the haze situation didn't affect S'pore at all but during Oct last year (2006) the situation was terrible!¡± [Edited for grammar]
¡°It has been improving and deteriorating(¡)¡±
Question 10
Do you think the haze situation will stay with us forever? Why?
Majority are unsure of this with hopes that technology might be able to turn this situation around. Also, an equal majority feel that the haze is going to stay forever. Reasons for this include the people being unaware/uneducated about the consequences of their actions and that there is only empty talk.
Some responses are listed below:
¡°Yes, as long as the other side remains unconcerned about the consequences and repercussions of their actions, the environment will never improve.¡±
¡°Yes. Forest fires are caused by a mix of natural and human factors. Even if we reduce the human factors area, the natural factors will still stay and there will still be forest fires which will lead to haze, but less.¡±
¡°Hopefully not. We just need to help the people to enforce laws and stop these forest burnings.¡± [Edited]
¡°Not necessarily. One day, maybe the farmers will find new techniques for clearing their land. Or one day, technology will be such that fires can be put out quickly and easily.¡±
Question 11
How do you think we can solve this annual haze situation?
Option |
Respondents (%) |
Comments |
1) New technologies to burn |
23.53 |
- |
2) Educate the farmers |
40.00 |
- |
3) Enforce laws |
32.94 |
- |
4) Others: |
3.53 |
- |
Analysis
Most respondents chose a combination of Option 2 and 3. It shows that the general population does have an idea of how we can help but when cross-referenced with Question 12, it seems that most of them think that we cannot really help.
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