Bandar Seri Begawan - With the haze gripping the country expected to persist, the Ministry of Health has issued a health guideline for the public.

The health guideline on haze is as follows: For air quality with PSI readings of up to 50 (good), there are no general health effects and no health advice is required.

If the PSI readings are 51-100 (moderate), the public may be affected by minor health problems such as coughs, cold and sore eyes. For those with lung and heart problems, signs of the disease will increase. The health guideline says there is no restriction on activities for the general population. However, for children with asthma, lung and heart diseases, they are advised to reduce physical activities.

If the PSI readings arc 101-200 (unhealthy), minor irritation symptoms such as skin irritation, coughs, sore eyes and runny nose can affect the healthy population. In this situation, the general pop=elation should reduce outdoor physical activities especially for the elderly and those with hung and heart diseases. In addition, there should be no outdoor physical activities for children, but indoor activities can be done preferably in air-conditioned rooms with special air filtration system.

If the PSI readings reach 201-300 (very unhealthy), irritation symptoms such as coughs, sore eyes and runny nose may become more widespread in the healthy population. People with lung and heart diseases may experience significant aggravation of their symptoms as well as decreased exercise tolerance.

There should be no outdoor physical activities for the general population. For the elderly and adults with lung and heart diseases, there should be no outdoor physical activities, and they should also reduce indoor physical activities. They should remain indoors with window and doors closed and fan switched on or preferably, stay in air conditioned rooms with special air filtration system. For children, there should be no, outdoor or indoor physical activities.

For PSI readings of over 301 (hazardous), healthy population may experience adverse symptoms such as severe coughs, sore eyes and runny nose that affect normal activities as well as decreased exercise tolerance.

The elderly and the sick may complain of symptoms related to the onset of certain diseases which may lead to premature death. In such a situation, everyone should stay indoors with windows and door closed and fan switched on or preferably stay in air conditioned rooms with special filtration system. There should be no physical activities.

Brunei Darussalam's hazy conditions have stayed in the moderate level (51-100). for the past few days. A heavy shower early yesterday, alleviated the haze temporarily. However, the haze is expected to continue to trouble the country in the coming days.

The PSI for air quality yesterday between lam and 2pm was 84 (moderate), according to the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation.

According to ASEAN Secretariat on the ASEAN haze online website, thick smoke haze and numerous hotspots were detected in southern part of Sumatra. Hotspots were also detected over southern parts of Borneo, Java and Sulawesi, on Monday.

In Brunei Darussalam, there were no fires reported from September 30 to October 1. The weather is expected to be fair but slight to moderate haze persists.

So far, there are no reports of increase in haze-related illnesses in the country. A doctor at one of the clinics, said "I didn't notice any increase of diseases relating to the haze, everything seems normal".

Hospitals have also yet to report of any increase in haze-related ailments. The public can contact the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation for any query at 2383222, extension 514 on the air quality between lam and 2pm. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin