Singapore keeping options open on taking firms to task for the haze: Grace Fu

Singapore is collecting data and keeping its "options open" on taking legal action against local firms linked to forest fires in Indonesia causing the regional haze, under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on Oct 14. The law criminalises conduct that causes or contributes to haze pollution in Singapore. Singapore began distributing N95 masks to vulnerable individuals after PM2.5 levels crossed into the very high range on Wednesday (Oct 14). The 1-hour PM2.5 reading in the west reached 288 at 3pm, the highest since 2015. Last Friday, the Haze Task Force said the masks would be distributed to more vulnerable individuals when the 24-hour PSI exceeded 200 and entered the very unhealthy range. Masks are being made available progressively at designated collection points, including community clubs and vending machines. Speaking to reporters, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu noted that it might take "some time" for the machines to be fully rolled out across the island. "We urge the patience on the part of Singaporeans," she said. Read more: https://cna.asia/4B5BV0j Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Visit our website: https://cna.asia Download our app: https://cna.asia/app Get our editors' picks of stories via chat apps: Telegram: https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp: https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us on these platforms: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia