Heavy haze has cloud South East Asian country again on September.

Three countries
Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore had been badly affected by the have. This haze crisis
had been happen once a year since 1997 and never missed until recent year. The
situation is bad until that Jakarta had declared state of emergency in Riau Province due
to Air Pollutant Index (API) had exceeding 1,000.

Due to this Malaysia government had evacuated their citizens in Riau and most of the
school in Malaysia had been closed for few days and had affected almost 1.5 million
students in the country. This crisis happens due to burning of forest or agricultural land
areas by some companies in Indonesia to clear wide forest and agricultural land areas
using easy way and less cost. Despite strict plantation laws and a company found a guilty
of clearing land by burning can fined by up to 10 billion rupiah and its management can
faces up to 10 years jail, there is company continue to do the illegal activity . This could
be due to the punishment imposed considering light by the company and also
incompetent and corrupt law enforcement.

To reduce haze that clouding the country, Malaysia government through Royal Malaysian Air Forces
(RMAF) and Metrological Department (Met Malaysia) had put an effort running cloud seeding
operation. Basically the operation begins by locating the 'Cumulus Tower' type of cloud and the
atmospheric area that has huge density of water vapour. The cloud seeding operation need for such
spot that have high probability of rainfall occurrence in between 85% to 100%. For seeding purpose,
150kg of salts diluted into each 1000liters of water to form liquid mixtures (NaCl) before being
separated into four 250liters of water container, then loaded into RMAF C-130 Hercules tanker
airplane.

RMAF C130 will then, heading directly to selected air spot, normally at the altitude of 1524 to 4267
meters up from earth surface. The water mixtures then sprayed into the cloud that finally induces the
formation of tiny icy water droplets inside the cloud. If the amount of that artificial ice is enough, the
over-weighed ice clouds then will drop as rains. Rains normally happen from 15 to 20 minutes after
cloud seeding operation.
Haze had effect on our health either for short term or long term. The small particles that cause haze
are composed of microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can get deep into the
lungs and cause serious health problems. When inhaled, they can enter the bloodstream and get
absorbed by underlying tissue, potentially interacting with other compounds and substances in the
body, for example bad cholesterol, to produce damaging effects such as inflammation.

Therefore safety precaution needs to be done. Below measure should be considered for safety
purpose during haze season.
Minimize outdoor activities. Identify outdoor work that may be reduced. Ensure the use of respirator
for those with prolonged exposure. Those suffering from chronic illnesses, especially heart and
respiratory diseases, should remain indoors.

Close all windows, doors and any openings that may allow haze to enter the workplace and house.
Turn on the air conditioner if available. Ensure adequate ventilation in the closed room.
Ensure maintenance of the air conditioner with regular cleaning and servicing. Fine particles can enter
an air-conditioned building through the fresh air intake and by infiltration through openings and gaps.
Use an air purifier to keep the particulate levels low. An air purifier or air cleaning devices may be
used to reduce the amount of air contaminants that may be circulating in the building.
Ensure there is sufficient supply of respirators at home and workplace for who have to go outdoors.

Conduct Fit Testing. Fit testing should be conducted for who need to use respirators.
Inform the workplace management if you are suffering from any heart or respiratory diseases.
Take your medication regularly if suffering from an existing disease, especially heart disease and
respiratory diseases.
Drink more water and increase the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. This helps the body to flush
out toxins absorbed through the skin and lungs, and improve the immune system.
Cut down on alcohol and coffee. These promote fluid and nutrient loss from the body. Avoid smoking
Wear a respirator when you go outside. A respirator is a protective device worn covering the nose and
mouth and is used to reduce the wearers risk of inhaling hazardous airborne particles. The respirator
filters small airborne particle which cause haze. The N95 respirator may be used to prevent exposure
to the haze.
Reference:
http://www.moh.gov.my/english.php
http://www.nst.com.my/
http://www.themalaysiantimes.com.my/
http://www.astroawani.com/
http://malaysiazine.blogspot.my/