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  Today Online 16 May 06
Merapi 'won't affect Singapore'
Winds not strong enough to carry ash clouds far: Expert
Teo Xuanwei xuanweit@newstoday.com.sg

THE thick, black clouds spewing into the skies from Mount Merapi are unlikely to affect Singapore, say experts.

"For Singapore to be affected, the eruption would need to be substantial and the prevailing winds need to be strong and blowing in the direction towards Singapore," said Dr Matthias Roth, a lecturer in the department of geography at the National University of Singapore. "A more likely scenario is that the generally weak and variable winds observed at this time of the year would not be able to transport the ash clouds very far."

Dr Roth also noted that ash clouds like those spewing from Mount Merapi are different from the smog and haze occasionally experienced here because they contain a large amount of sulphuric acid aerosols.

Dr Dana Elliott, a family physician at Beatitudes Medical Practice, said when sulphuric acid particles enter the respiratory system, people may experience symptoms such as difficulties in breathing, runny nose, persistent coughing and tearing eyes.

But he gave the assurance that there is "no urgent need" to prepare masks because most people will only be affected when the Pollutants Standards Index (PSI) readings exceed 100.

People with lung and heart conditions or who are suffering from asthma are more susceptible to such symptoms even if they inhale only small amounts of such particles, said Dr Elliott. As a precaution, these people may consider having their medication readily available or staying indoors more often when the air quality worsens.

On the meteorological services website yesterday evening, the PSI reading remained in the "good" range at 40. According to the National Environment Agency, the highest PSI reading here was 142 — when forest fires in Indonesia sent air quality readings into the "unhealthy" range in September 1994.

Dr Roth said Singapore has not suffered any air pollution problems caused by volcanic eruptions recently.

The exceptions were the eruptions of Krakatoa in Indonesia in 1883 and Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991 when the stratosphere — 20km to 25km above the ground — was filled with high aerosol loads. Subsequently, there was a slight drop in overall temperatures because less of the sun's rays could reach the Earth's surface.
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