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The pain of being trapped in the crowd
Smog should be more accurately called smog, but it is not over.
This is no longer a brief stimulus that can be "tolerated" as it will soon disappear.
"The number of forest fires and land fires may last --
On November, a spokesman for Indonesia's National Disaster Administration said on the 23rd.
Part of the reason is El Nino, which causes dry weather, causing mud coal to burn faster.
In Sumatra and garimantan, the burning and forest fires of mud-coal fields caused by plantations and farmers are the source of smog in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
Incredibly, after years of annual smog, after so many promises of action, and in the context of cooperation between the three countries and ASEAN, after so many meetings and agreements, there are still serious ongoing smog this year.
Especially if the smog is still going to last for two months, resolving the issue should be the top priority of ASEAN leaders-or at least leaders of three countries.
ASEAN leaders have made trade and investment agreements a priority and established the ASEAN Community by the end of this year.
But the most obvious and urgent question-how to end the smog that affects the health of millions of citizens in these three countries-has not yet received the full attention it deserves.
The health of the people and the environment in which we live are certainly more fundamental and important than expanding trade.
Some people may see smog as an inconvenience that is about to disappear.
It is very frustrating to have to breathe polluted air, especially for those who are vulnerable.
People who have a way can close the windows at home, install air conditioners in each room, buy air purifiers, and capture smog particles.
But most Malaysians don't have planes.
Air conditioning or air purifier.
They must open the window and endure the smog.
It was full of air all day, especially at night.
The people whose health is most affected include those who live near the epicenter of the forest and mud coal fires, especially the residents of Sarawak and Sabah, as well as those in the southern and central states of the peninsula.
For them, the air pollution index may be in an unhealthy range frequently or continuously (101-200)
Very unhealthy range (201-300)
Even the scope of danger (more than 300).
Please note that some days last week, API readings in parts of Kalimantan, Indonesia exceeded 1,000 or even 2,000.
Indonesians in Kalimantan and Sumatra must live in the air.
Polluting hell, some Sabahans and Sarawak are also in very bad condition.
Other vulnerable groups include infants and children.
Those who really need clean air breathing, especially those with respiratory diseases such as asthma and lung diseases, and those who have heart disease, forming the body is the least able to cope with pollution, and older people with weak immune systems.
The most dangerous part of smog is small particles called pm2. 5.
5 less than 2.
According to The Straits Times, the hair is 5 microns or a tenth in diameter (Singapore)report.
They may be trapped in the lungs, small enough to enter the blood through the lining. Regular long-
Long-term exposure to particles is associated with increased risk of death from heart and lung complications.
No smog, pm2. 5.
5 concentration is generally 20-
35 micrograms per cubic meter, when it reaches 100, they become a problem and become dangerous at 200.
On the 23rd, onehour PM2.
By the middle of the year, five levels in many parts of Singapore exceeded 100day.
It was said that it was difficult to determine exactly which plantation and farm caused a forest fire, and it was therefore difficult to stop and prosecute them.
But that's not a good reason.
If enough financial and human resources are invested, the culprit can be found and stopped. The Washington-
A detailed analysis of the hotspots, based at the World Resources Institute, and information on how many of them are in pulp timber concessions, oil palm concessions and logging concessions (52% in all)
And how many people are outside the concession area (48%).
According to data from the Indonesian NGO alliance in Riau province, in January, 56 timber suppliers of the two largest pulp and paper companies had a "hot spot "--
Hot spots were also found in 38 palm oil plantations in August.
Action is, therefore, ultimately political will.
The good sign is that Indonesian President Joko wi is personally responsible.
On the 23rd, he visited the workers who put out the fire in South Kalimantan and then went to Sumatra for a second field visit.
He promised to take more effective action.
This year's haze is the first time he faces as president, and we hope he will be more successful than the former president who has been in office since 1997, the first year of smog every year.
According to officials from Indonesia's disaster agency, there are currently 4,800 soldiers and police fighting in Sumatra and garrimandan, but more personnel and funds are needed.
The good news last week was that the government had suspended the operation of three plantation companies and revoked permits to obtain a fourth plantation company due to a forest fire.
It may be "too late", but let's hope this is the beginning of real action on the Indonesian side.
Malaysia and Singapore can also provide more help.
It is hoped that political leaders of all countries will respond to the smog crisis with the seriousness they deserve.
We can't keep getting frustrated until the end of November, and then get frustrated again next year and after.