Tasting The Smoke
Air quality in Malaysia's Sarawak state deteriorated further on Tuesday as smoke from Indonesian forest fires drove up respiratory complaints and sent residents scrambling for protective masks. Six districts in Sarawak, on Borneo, recorded hazardous Air Pollutant Index readings, including the state capital Kuching, where the index hit 407. Under national guidelines, levels above 300 are classed as hazardous.
Schools in Kuching shut two weeks ago, and the state has seen supplies of haze-rated masks dwindle. Resident Ivana Mason, 37, said five pharmacies she visited had sold out of respirators designed to filter fine particles. "The only ones available were standard medical masks, which aren't effective at protecting against fine haze particles," she told AFP.
"I've been sneezing non-stop, and my eyes are constantly watery," Mason said, adding that the haze had forced her to stop going to her usual gym and limit trips outside. "If I do, I can literally taste the smoke in my mouth."
Cloud-seeding planned
Malaysia's health ministry has reported rising cases of asthma and conjunctivitis nationwide as air quality worsens. Sarawak authorities said cloud-seeding operations could begin as early as Thursday if the weather allows. Occupational therapist Md Khairulanwar Asri warned that poor air could hit people with existing heart or respiratory conditions, as well as elderly patients with multiple ailments.