Haze. It affects schools, jobs, transportation, and even causes death. In the past 5 years, it had taken thousands of lives not only in Malaysia, but also neighbouring nations. Schools are shut down. Normal jobs became hazardous jobs. People from everywhere wearing all kinds of face mask in order to suck clean air. Visions are faded and transportation accidents occur rapidly. Therefore, it is very important to educate and share to the world about how serious haze is and also to prepare and prevent it from happening. Particulate matters or fine particles that are suspended in high concentrations in the atmosphere can be defined as haze.

In Malaysia, air pollutant index is being used by calculating the average parameters of pollutants including Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Ozone (O3) and solid particles less than 10 microns (PM10). (Refer the Air Quality Indicator chart)

Haze is caused by air pollution, either through natural occurrence or human actions. One of the natural causes of air pollution is volcanic eruptions. In Southeast Asia, there are many active volcanoes such as Ijen volcano, Indonesia and Mayon Volcano, Philippines. The phenomenon releases a large amount of magma particulates, aerosols, sulphur dioxide (SO?), hydrogen sulphide (H?S), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen chloride (HCl), and hydrogen fluoride (HF) into the atmosphere. Also, sea spray or sea breeze that contains salt can also contribute to air pollution.

Anthropogenic pollutants are mostly from fossil fuel combustions in power stations. In addition, emissions from motor vehicles are also one of the main contributors of air pollution due to its increasing number annually. To make the scenario worse, most vehicles use two stroke engines that do not comply with smoke emission standard which usually happens in developing countries.  Other causes of man-made pollutants are industrial emissions, open burning and deforestation and forest fire.

The effects of haze towards human health are commonly eye irritation, discomfort to nose and respiratory system and lung inflammation especially towards asthmatic-sufferers. What Malaysia government has promoted to the public in order to reduce the causes of this pollution is by simply carpooling and the use of public transport. This will reduce the widely-used motor vehicle thus reducing vehicle emissions. Moreover, we can make a significant difference by stopping open burning. Also, when facing the haze episode, make sure to reduce outdoor activities, drink plenty of water, wear protective mask and make sure to seek advice and medical treatment from health centre if prolonged with health problems.