HAZE POLLUTING AIR OVER PEKANBARU

Pekanbaru, Riau, July 7 (ANTARA) - Haze that continues to cover the city of Pekanbaru, capital of Riau province, over the past one month has caused the quality of the air in the region to deteriorate, an official said.

"Starting from July 5 at about 03.00 pm western Indonesia standard time (WIB) till Monday (July 6), the city's air pollutant standard index (ISPU) showed 126 PM (particular matter), meaning the air is not good for people's health," Syahrial, head of the Regional Environmental Impact Control Agency's Laboratory said here Tuesday.

Syahrial said on Friday (July 3), the ISPU showed the figure 59, on Saturday its range rose to 70, while on Sunday and Monday the grade rose to 126.

The ISPU for a healthy condition was 1-50 with the IPSU display turning green.

In this category, the level of air quality does not affect human health or animals nor would it affect plant life, buildings or aesthetic values, he said.

While for the medium category, the ISPU in the air showing the number 51-100 with a blue color. This level of air quality has no effect on human or animals health but it can affect sensitive plant life and aesthetic values, Syahrial said.

"The category between 200-299 indicates unhealthy air that shows red color in the display," he said.

Finally, the dangerous category of the air shows the number over 300, with black color that appears in the display, which constitutes a hazardous air quality, he added.

Recently, a number of Pekanbaru residents complained that the haze was affecting their health as they suffered from throat irritation and respiratory problems. ***3***
PSO-024/