Discussion on environmental impact of forest fires.
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Dear Prof.Jamal,
I'm ukm student (from environmental science department)and I'd like to get more information about haze in Malaysia (on 1997 and today).
The 1997 NEWS ARCHIVES lists news articles and reports on last year's haze and forest fires from Malaysian, regional and international newspapers, press agencies and wire services.
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/2701/1997news.htm
This year's latest breaking news, views, stories and features from the mass media can be found in the 1998 NEWS ARCHIVES
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/2701/1998news.htm
For 1999 see http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/2701/1999n.htm
Dr.M.Vadivale
MBBS; M.Sc Occupational Medicine
Clinical Research Manager
I would like to ask for some information about haze.
This is the following questions:
-What is haze
-Where does it come from
-What instrument is used to measure haze
-Is it dangerous to human being
-What is done to solve it
-Any other solutions
-What is the difference between fog and haze
-What is PSI reading
Thank You
1. Haze is the layman's term for 'visible air pollution'. Haze is said to occur when visibility is reduced due to the presence of very fine particles and certain gases in the atmosphere, which scatter and absorb sunlight. The light from a distant object does not reach your eyes in a direct path, thus resulting in a 'hazy' image.
2. The fine particles that cause haze are about 1 micrometer in size (your hair is about 75 micrometer in thickness). They come mainly from combustion sources (motor vehicles, industrial smoke stacks, forest fires and volcanoes). The only gas that I know of that can cause haze is nitrogen dioxide (refer to my article in Akedemika vol. 49 (July) 1996: 83-93). Nitrogen dioxide comes from motor vehicle and industrial sources.
3. Haze can be measured through visibility (the greatest horizontal distance that one can see in any direction throughout half the horizon). However, it is more useful to measure the concentrations selected (criteria) pollutants in the air, and to compare these with established ambient guidelines. There are fixed monitoring sites throughout Malaysia operated by a company, which form the basis for our API reporting.
4. A study by my research team on the 1997 haze has shown that at an API (or PSI) of 300, healthy children can experience reduced pulmonary (lung) functions, which are reversible after a period of a year if they are subsequently subjected to very clean air. Another local study has shown that at an API of about 220, 70% of asthmatic children may experience attacks (refer to an article published in Malaysian Journal of Child Health, vol. 9, no. 2, Dec. 1997). This is because a) particles of 1 micrometer in size can reach the deeper portion of our lungs (the alveolar region), and particles may contain chemicals (allergens) to which an asthmatic individual is sensitive to. However, these are acute (short-term) effects. We are uncertain of the long-term effects of these particles. There was an article about the long-term carcinogenic effect of particles from diesel combustion in The Star on June 8 1999.
5. What is done to solve it ? People like me who are trained in the discipline of environmental health are trying to assess the human health risks from exposures to haze and air pollutants. Once we have learned about these risks, we have a more credible justification why we want to control air pollution. Health risks are unacceptable risks and are non-disputable justifications and in any society. Unfortunately, environmental health scientists in Malaysia and the Southeast Asian countries are acutely lacking.
6. Haze is when visibility is reduced due to the presence of particles and gases in the atmosphere. Mist and fog is when the reduction in visibility is mainly due to the presence of excessive moisture in the atmosphere (when the relative humidity is more than 95%, for example when it is about to rain). This is because water vapors in the atmosphere also absorb sunlight. Hence, mist and fog is not dangerous to health, except maybe for asthmatic individuals who are sensitive to high humidity. Fog is said to occur when the reduced visibility due to water vapors falls below 1000 meters.
7. The PSI (Pollutant Standard Index) or the API (Air Pollutant Index) is a public air pollution information service system. The PSI reports the index of the air pollutant which attains the highest index at a particular time. An index of 100 means that the pollutant's concentration is at the recommended ambient guideline level. Therefore, an index of below 100 is healthy and above 100 is unhealthy. An index of above 200 is very unhealthy and above 300 is hazardous. That is why during the 1997 haze, we found reduced lung functions among the children. By the way, the index stops at 500. There is no such index beyond 500. At 500, significant harm to human health is believed to occur which I believe may be irreversible in nature.
Jamal H. Hashim, PhD
Environmental Health Scientist
Dear Prof.Jamal,
I'm ukm student (from environmental science department)and I'd like to get more information about haze in Malaysia (on 1997 and today).
I'm not quite sure what about the 1997 and the present haze you would like to get more information on. Please look up an article about the 1997 haze which I wrote with Prof. Brauer entitled 'Fires in Indonesia : Crisis and Reaction' which was published in Environmental Science & Technology / News, Vol. 32, No. 17, pp. 404A-407A. As for the present hazy condition over the Klang Valley, I don't have any clear idea of how serious it is or it is going to be, as we no longer have the privilege of checking for the API at the DOE website. I've been monitoring the PM10 levels in Cheras for 2 days now, and I should have an idea soon of the atmospheric PM10 concentration. Contact me by e-mail if you are interested.
Jamal H. Hashim, PhD
Environmental Health Scientist
Dr. Hashim,
I read your internet letter to Mrs. Norhayati and I also have a concern about the haze conditions here in the Klang Valley. During the 1997 haze I was able to obtain a lot of information through international newspapers as well as the internet. I have not been able to get any information this time and am concerned because I have one son who has asthma and an infant who seems to be coughing a lot. Can you tell me how to get more information on the air quality and dangers involved with haze? Thank you.
There is definitely haze in our skies. Our equipment is not running presently so we do not have any reading as well. Please read my earlier notes on 'what is haze' in this same forum. I think your main concern should be your asthmatic son, as our study has shown that asthmatics tend to be over-sensitive to the haze. You may want to refer to an article entitled 'The relationship between Kuala Lumpur haze and asthmatic attacks in children' published in the Malaysian Journal of Child Health, Volume 9, No. 2, December 1997, pages 151 to 159. This journal is the official publication of the Malaysian Paediatric Association. The study indicates that there is a marked increase in the frequency of asthmatic attacks (up to 30%) even at an API of only 100. If the haze worsen, you may want to minimize your son's rigorous outdoor activites. In another yet to be published study that we conducted with some European researchers, we found that air-conditioning managed to reduce the indoor concentration of fine particulates (PM2.5) by more than 50 % during a period of moderate haze. I suggest that you engage a paediatrician in monitoring your son's health. You may also wish to contact an asthma club for children at tel. 03-7576588. On a note of relief, I personally do not think that this year's haze will be anything as bad at the one in 1997, as this is not an El Nino year. However, any degree of haze or air pollution should be a public concern. Healthy children and adults should be able to survive this moderate haze without much health problem. However, asthmatic individuals and elderly persons, especially those with respiratory problems such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema and tuberculosis may experienc some problem. The most unfortunate thing is that we never seems to learn from our mistakes. Luckily, some of us are still holding on to our sanity.
Jamal H. Hashim, PhD
Environmental Health Scientist
I looked at the recent reading of "criteria pollutents" from the Environ. Ministry of S'pore's Home Page. Useing the figure 100 to calculate the PSI from the pollutant showing the highest reading - the figure I got was not the same as the one given by the Dept.
Perhapse I may be on the wrong tract. Any direction / help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Only the DOE or ASMA Malaysia can truly verify and confirm how they calculate the API. However, based on my theoretical comprehension of the subject, the scientific principles applied in the calculations of the PSI (U.S.A.) and API (M'sia) shold not differ much. For each criteria pollutant, there should be at least 2 scientifically-based referal points. One is the 'ambient air quality guideline' which is assigned an index of 100, and the other is a 'significant harm level' which is assigned an index of 500. Thus, all reportable indices should be below 500. While the index of 100 normally refers to a 'threshold' or 'no effect level' for an acute health effect, the index of 500 may mean irreversible significant health effect.
There are the 2 ways of determining the indices between 100 and 500. One is by a simple linear equation (by joining the 2 points with a straight line), or by segmented linear equations (by determining other points in between 100 and 500). I cannot verify which is used for our API.
Anyway, for simplicity, let us take the criteria pollutant of PM10 or respirable particulate, which is normally the culprit pollutant during a haze episode. Its index of 100 corresponds to an ambient concentration of 150 ug/m3, averaged over a period of 24 hours. This 24-hour value of 150 ug/m3 over is chosen to be used for the index of 100 because it is the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guideline for PM10. I can't confirm though what is used for the index of 500, though I may have an idea of what it is. Thus the rational for taking indices of 100 and below as being 'acceptable' and those beyond 100 as 'unacceptable'? Not that simple !
The US may now be using another pollutant criteria, PM2.5, which may be more indicative of respiratory health effects. Our studies here in Malaysia indicates that the percentage of PM2.5/PM10 is about 53%, while another study suggest a higher percentage of 71%. WHO does not specify guidelines for PM2.5 of PM10 as they believe there is no 'threshold' for these pollutants. This means that we have to keep their atmospheric concentrations to 'as low as reasonably possible'. It also means that if we keep the PM10 API at below 100, there is no 'scientific guarantee' that there will be no health effect. But PM2.5 and PM10 are global pollutants, and not unique to our region of the world, nor are they only typical of the haze and forest fires.
Thanks for giving an insight into the calculation of the above Indicies. It's certainly more comlicated than it appears. I guess there are Tables and Graphs which the DOE uses for the calculation.
I shall give them - or rather ASMA a call to see what further clarification I can get.
Sorry to say by their actions DOE is undermining its own credibility. Instead of encouraging & assisting the public to think scientifically now they are letting the imagination go wild.
As far as the foreign press goes even if they want to be kind - they are not given the opportunity by non disclosure.
I guess GOD knows best - pls do not ask me which GOD !!!!!!!!.
You may want to have a look at my upcoming article in Berita MMA at
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/2188/internet30.html
titled "Clouding the issue"
A.Prof.Rampal had written a good article "HAZE: Are we hazy about the facts." which can be viewed at http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/2188/hazemma.html
Hope things clears up. :)
Please sent some information about haze @ jerebu in malays.Because i need it very much for my stpm scrap book.I will appreciate everything you sent to me.Thanks you.
Called "Wildland Fires and the Environment: A Global Synthesis", this new publication is an excellent review of the world fire sitation, what we know about it, what we need to know, and recommendations for future global action on the challenge using the Indonesia experience as reference.
The publication is available through Dr. Ashbindu Singh, of UNEP: singh@edcmail.cr.usgs.gov. Dr. Singh, together with four others from UNEP, NASA, and USDA Forest Service participated in its production.
It must be said that although Dr. Vadivale's site is mentioned, one could have gone through the site's links and had more than enough material to have prepared this report.
The info you seek is at http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/2701/1997news.htm as well as some info are on my site at http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/2188/haze.html .
Hi once again,
The Drought affecting so many countries in April ended with the middle of the year seeing many nations suffering from severe flooding.
As a result I have changed the name of my site from "Drought & Prayer - 'till the Rains Come" to:
Drought Floods & Prayer. The site URL remains the same:- http://www.ozemail.com.au/~sjhop/prayer.htm
Thank you for your continuing to update and keep the "HAZE" site relivant.
Latest addition to the haze site today is
ReliefWeb - Russian Federation: Environmental Emergency/Forest Fires - Sep 1998
May not be the latest as from the "daily news" but key agency related news are normally found here.
Dr. Vadivale's valuable work continues! Thanks again, Dr. V.!
In 1997, the "Year to Earth Burned", WWF-international's JP Jeanrennauld said the World's conventional fire fighting agencies are "in crisis"; that global wildfire is beyond them. UNEP says we need a global effort to deal with World Fire, applying tools and technologies, training firefighters, and modifying jurisdictional constraints in an unprecedented effort, the equivalent of war, to stop the waste.
In the 12 short months since SE Asia's fires became uncontrollable, we have witnessed hopelessly huge fires in the largest forests in the World: Canada's, Brazil's, and Russia's. In Russia alone, forests the size of Switzerland burned up. We almost lost Peru's Macchu Picchu to wildfire. Flames licked the base of Greece's Acropolis in a 100-year fire season. For the first time in 50 years, Mexico asked the US for hands-on emergency help as flames took rainforests and 66 fire fighters lost their lives. In Florida, USA, 60,000 people evacuated their homes and businesses as difficult blazes devastated the north-central areas of the east coast.
Why is it, then, that 4 full years after the US Forest Service saw _by far_ the World's largest, fastest, longest-range, most modern and powerful fire fighting aircraft, a converted cargo jet from Russia, perform, publicly admitting its utility, the Ilyushin-76 is still stayed from development; available in limited copies; then only to Russia and Greece? (see www.emerjet.com)
When the case for a global aerial Russian fire fighting service based on this aircraft, (hundreds of which, along with talented crews, are under/unemployed) was put to NBC's International News Editor, Michael Moran, and that develoment/deployment was somehow being kept back, he wrote that it was "outrageous [that the aircraft wasn't being used].........But money is always the bottom line. That's the real underpinning of modern foreign policy."
I have another theory. Actually these ideas are not mine; they're Bertrand Russell's: Bureaucrats, Russell said, are at once powerful and lazy. By saying "NO" to worthwhile projects, they satisfy, at once, their penchant for both. And so, they become the enemies of those they are intended to serve.
Having been on this Russian fire fighter project for 4 full years, it would be my thesis, that _even if_ money was there to fight World Fire using the most strategically competent tool for the job, and _even if_ World leadership and direction were shown on this issue, bureaucrats would find ways to base their careers on its success, thereby extending the time within which the aircraft saw service.