Air Quality Reporting A Concern
By Khairunnisa Ibrahim

Bandar Seri Begawan - Bruneians are still putting up with the inability of concerned government agencies to regularly provide real-time updates on air quality despite the worsening haze conditions that have already alarmed health authorities in the region.

The Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) is essential for the relevant authorities to issue prompt and appropriate health advisories to the public.

Lately, however, members of the public and the media industry, often get day-old air quality readings, unlike in neighbouring countries where relevant authorities provide up-to-date PSI readings: The Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation is tasked to monitor the air quality and provide the daily PSI, readings to the Fire and Rescue Department and media agencies to be disseminated to the public.

A government official who requested anonymity said the department's effectiveness in monitoring the haze situation is limited as it is more focused on administrative work than on operations.

Unlike the Brunei Meteorological Service, which operates round the clock, the Department of Environment follows regular office hours.

This means that outside of office hours, including public holidays, the air quality situation might not be closely monitored.

The official said technical concerns may be contributing to the difficulty in providing updated PSI readings.

"There are only four monitoring stations throughout Brunei - one station for each district. "At times, at least one station fails to record a reading which makes it difficult for the relevant officials to release a reading for the day," said the official.

A check on the department's website showed that it is not updated like the one maintained by the Brunei Meteorological Service that provides the latest information on the weather and haze condition.

The Brunei Times sought comments from department officials but this proved futile.

It will be recalled that air quality monitoring gained importance following the haze crises that struck South-East Asia in 1997 and 1998.

Meanwhile, a spokesman from the National Disaster Management Centre yesterday said that the Fire and Rescue Department carries out air and ground surveillance for any occurrence of fire.

Thus far, the department has not received any calls regarding bush fires or open burning, the officer said. The department also works closely with the Department of Environment and the Department of Civil Aviation to monitor the haze situation in the country.

A report from the Meteorological Services showed that visibility had improved since Friday from 2.5 to 5 kilometres yesterday.

"This is due to the change in the wind direction from southwesterly to northwesterly. However this change might not be permanent," said an official. adding that the condition may worsen today.

Although Health Ministry officials have not recorded an increase respiratory illnesses, anecdotal evidence showed the condition of those suffering from such illnesses have take a turn for the worst.

Husma said her one-year-old son has developed mild asthma along' with other ailments including non-stop coughing as a result of the deteriorating air quality. She disputed the official categorisation of the smoke haze in the country as nonhazardous.

"If the air quality is not unhealthy, why is my son having these attacks and experiencing dehydration?" she lamented.

Aisya complained that the air, felt thick and suffocating. "Whenever I step outside the house, I find it hard to breathe." Hamdi, an education officer, agreed. His sister had to take her children to the hospital for breathing-related problems.  -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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