Singapore Considers Legal Action Against Firms as Severe Haze Intensifies

Singapore weighs prosecuting offshore companies as toxic haze reaches its highest levels since 2015.

Air quality across Singapore has deteriorated into very unhealthy ranges, with fine particulate concentrations in western areas reaching marks unseen since 2015. In response, authorities have moved forward the distribution of N95 masks to vulnerable citizens, subsidised clinic visits, and closed outdoor sports facilities. Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu confirmed that officials are collecting air quality data to examine potential prosecutions against offending companies under transboundary pollution laws.

• The legal frameworkEnacted in 2014, the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act allows Singapore to pursue civil and criminal liability against entities responsible for fires creating smoke that drifts into the country.
• Pollution readingsHourly PM2.5 concentrations exceeded 280 in the western district, pushing the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index past 200 into the very unhealthy range.
• Community impactThe sudden spike in smoke pollution led outdoor workers to seek shelter and caused sudden surges in consumer demand for domestic air purifiers.