BIGGEST FIRE IN 5 YEARS RAZES FACTORY



An inferno (above) swept through a factory complex in the Sungei Kadut area near Woodlands yesterday afternoon, razing several tin shacks.

One of the biggest fires in Singapore in the last five years, the blaze started in the rear of the complex at around 3.30pm and took four hours to bring under control.

No one was hurt.

The complex housed about six shacks, each about 5m tall and 100m long. Most of them were rented by woodworking companies, and a few by tyre manufacturers.

About 70 firefighters, a dozen fire engines and nine support vehicles were dispatched.

Workers working in the complex and the factory beside it yesterday were evacuated. Hundreds of workers from nearby factories rushed to the scene after finishing work, and watched the orange flames, transfixed.

Mr Muthu Rama Linga Kumar, 30, watched the blaze for about four hours. He said: "I have not seen such a big fire before. I was worried that the fire would spread to the other factories."

- BY AMELIA TAN

Credits to: THE STRAITS TIMES MONDAY, AUGUST 4 2008

HAZE RETURNS TO REGION AS SUMATRA'S

ILLEGAL FIRES RAGE

Haze shrouded parts of the region yesterday after fires scorched forests and plantation land in Sumatra over the weekend, enveloping the Riau capital of Pekanbaru and parts of Peninsular Malaysia.

The authorities have squarely blamed Indonesian farmers and plantation workers, who are clearing the land using slash-and-burn methods that have been banned since 1999.

The number of hot spots in Sumatra surged from 351 to 531 on Saturday, before dipping to 360 yesterday, according to the Indonesian Meteorology And Geophysics Agency (BMG). This was confirmed by Singapore National Environment Agency.

BMG analyst Selamat Triyadi told The Straits Times that Riau alone acounted for some 136 hot spots, while Pelalawan and Rokan Hulu had 23 and 22 hot spots respectively.

He said that the dramatic fall in the number of hot spots could have been partly the result of efforts by the athorities to put out the fires.

But environmentalist Zulfahmi of the Save The Riau Forest Movement cautioned that the drop could be temporary, as more hot spots could appear iAn the dry season.

Visibilty was reduced to just 2km in the Riau capital yesterday. Mr Selamat said that visibility was worse in the early morning and late afternoon.

In Malaysia, the bad air has been exacerbated by a forest fire in Selangor which has been burning since Friday.

About 70 firemen have been fighting to put out the fire, which is burning in a 40ha area that forms part of the Kuala Langat Forest Reserve.

Although the blaze is located near the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, an airport spokesman said that it had not affected operations yet.

Barely a week ago, 90 percent of Malaysia had an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in the "good" range of 0 to 50. The other 10 percent was in the "moderate" 51 to 100 range.

By Saturday, 66 percent of the country was in the moderate range, with Port Klang registering an "unheathly" API reading of 104.

Port Klang's reading fell to 93 yesterday but remains the highest in the country, while 64 percent of Malaysia was in the moderate range. Kuala Lumpur's reading was 65.

Ms Rosnani Ibrahim, director-general of the environmental department, told AFP she was "concerned" about the increasing number of hot spots during the annual dry season from June to September.

Singapore has been spared so far, thanks to favourable wind directions, as a result of which smoke has been blown away from its shores.

Its air quality was 30 on the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) yesterday, which is still in the healthy range.

But forecasted variable winds could just as easily bring back the haze.

Haze has been an annual problem for the region since 1997, when the PSI level of Singapore hit a record high of 226, which is considered very unhealthy.

The problem prompted countries affected by the haze, including Singapore, to set up a task force to combat the problem.

- BY TEO CHENG WEE IN KUALA LUMPUR & SALIM OSMAN Indonesia Correspondent IN JAKRTA

Credits to: THE STRAITS TIMES MONDAY, 4 AUGUST 2008

HAZE LIKELY WITHIN THREE MONTHS

Brace yourselves for the bad-air days ahead.
The smokey haze is likely to be back in the next three months as a result of a combination of hotter, drier weather and burning activities in Malaysia and Indonesia.
However, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim said, the number of hotspots in Indonesia has come down considerably.
"I wouldn't say there will be no haze," Dr Yaccob said. "I think the hotspots have come down. Indonesia's own plan of action is to reduce it by 50 percent. That means there will still be hotspots, but the number will be reduced."
The Asean Specialised Meterological has noted a weakening of the La Nina weather phenomenon, which would have brought wet weather to douse the smoky fires set by the region's farmers.
With the phenomenon weakening, the next three months are expected to be drier that at the same period last year.
-THE STRAITS TIMES

Credits to: MY PAPER TUESDAY JUNE 24, 2008

20 WAYS TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION:

1) Use buses and trains instead of cars, as they can carry far more people in one journey. This cuts down the amount of pollution produced.

2) Walking or cycling will be even more beneficial, as it does not create any pollution. It will also benefit your body, as regular exercise will keep you fit and healthy.

3) Turning off lights when they are not needed and not wasting electricity will reduce the demand. Less electricity will need to be produced and so less fossil fuel will have to be burnt, resulting in less air pollution.

4) Avoid using cars for very short journeys as this creates unnecessary pollution. If car journeys must be made, then try to share your journeys with other people, such as when you go shopping. Also encourage people to drive more slowly as this produces less pollution.

5) Replace energy hungry incandescent lights with fluorescent lighting.

6) Check with your utility company for energy conservation tips, like purchasing energy saving appliances.

7) Use a thermostat that automatically turns off the air conditioner or heater when you don't need them.

8) Use a fan instead of air conditioning.

9) Heat small meals in a microwave oven.

Waste Not!

It takes energy to make and sell the products we use. Here are ways to cut energy use, reduce air pollution, and save money.

10) Choose recycled products.

11) Choose products with recyclable packaging.

12) Reuse paper bags.

13) Recycle paper, plastics, and metals.

14) Use both sides of a paper.

Know The Inside Story

Air pollution is a problem indoors and out. Most people spend at least 80 percent of their lives indoors. Here are some ways you can reduce pollution in your home, office or school:

15) Don't smoke. Send smokers outside.

16) Products such as cleaning agents, paints, and glues often contain harmful chemicals. Use them outdoors or with plenty of ventilation indoors.

17) Use safer products, such as baking soda instead of harsher chemical cleaners.

18) Don't heat your home with a gas cooking stove.

19) Have your gas appliances and heater regularly inspected and maintained.

Speak Up For Clean Air

Do what you can to reduce air pollution. It will make a difference.

20) Try to convince your friends and family members about the importance of reducing air pollution.

Credits to: http://www.kirotv.com/goinggreennw/9771623/detail.html

http://www.earthscape.org/t1/ari04/yaq9.html

MAIN CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION:

Power stations, factories, motor vehicles, and fuel burning in homes are the main causes of air pollution. Volcanoes and forest fires are natural causes.You cannot see many forms of air pollution. Anything that gets in the air and does not harmlessly vanish is air pollution. That includes smoke from fires, gasses that come from burning fuel, and even dust.

WHY AIR POLLUTION IS BAD:

When you breathe in polluted air, it can irritate your air passages and lungs. It can worsen Asthma and Bronchitis. Radon (radioactive chemical element that occurs naturally as a gas) can cause lung cancer if inhaled in large amounts. Certain chemical compounds can cause cancer and birth defects. Carbon monoxide interferes with the transfer of oxygen from the lungs and body tissues. Even forests have been destroyed by air pollution.

Credits to: http://www.tqnyc.org/NYC063530/pollution.html

Credits to: http://www.savinggaia.sg/

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