Masks needed to combat haze

Masks needed to combat haze

SINGAPORE (Agencies): The haze that has enveloped most of
Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia has reached such critical
levels that an expert recommended yesterday special masks be worn
to minimize its ill-effects.

Rajasekhar Bala, a lecturer in the National University of
Singapore's environmental engineering program, said special
"electrostatically-treated three-layered" masks traditionally
used to shield people from dangerous fumes in industrial plants
were necessary to keep out the haze.

The haze, caused by smoke from forest fires in Indonesia, has
sparked an increase in respiratory problems among people in the
region.

Malaysia will declare a state of emergency if smoke haze
covering the country hits critical levels, the national Bernama
news agency quoted Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad as saying
yesterday.

He did not specify what levels would result in an emergency.