What You Can Do When The Haze Returns

The haze has cleared up. I am pleasantly surprised, because it normally lasts several weeks. Is this owing to a change in wind direction or have they stopped clearing and burning the forests/lands in Indonesia? I don't think it is the latter.

A Table Top Console Air Cleaner

So, the haze may yet return, though I hope not. What can you do when it does?

You can use face masks if the air quality gets bad, drink more water and avoid outdoor activities.

You can get an air cleaner or purifier.

Generally, there are two types of air cleaners or purifiers. One is the electronic air cleaner or purifier that does not have a changeable filter and the other does.

Most air cleaners or purifiers nowadays can remove air particulates up to 0.01micron in size. One micron is one millionth of a meter.  And many claim to be able to remove up to 99% of air-borne particulates, including smoke, odour, spores, pollen and bacteria.

Many air cleaners or purifiers also come with ionisers. It is the ioniser that gives one the feeling of freshness. It releases negative ions that make one feel refreshed,  just like how one feels after a thunder storm or heavy rain when the air is negatively charged with ions.

But air cleaners or purifiers are still not something popular or commonly used here in Malaysia partly because prices are still steep. A reasonably good air cleaner or purifier can put you back by a thousand plus Ringgit or more.

Considering that research has shown that indoor air is something like eight to ten times dirtier than outdoor air, a good air cleaner or purifier may be a good investment especially when the dreaded haze strikes.