NEWS
Press Release
Singapore to adopt higher air quality targets
Date Published: 23 Aug 2012
Singapore, 23 August 2012 – The National Environment Agency (NEA) will be implementing a suite of measures to achieve higher national air quality standards by 2020.
Following the acceptance of the recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Ambient Air Quality (see Annex I for details), the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) will be adopting the World Health Organisation (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) for particulate matter 10 (PM10), Nitrogen Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide and Ozone, and the WHO AQG’s Interim Targets[1] for PM2.5 and Sulphur Dioxide, as Singapore’s air quality targets for 2020. These targets will enable Singapore to achieve a high standard of public health and economic competitiveness.
As announced at this year’s Budget Debate, NEA will also increase the reporting frequency of the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) which measures five key pollutants namely particulate matter PM10, Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide and Sulphur Dioxide in the ambient air from once a day to three times daily. The daily reports will include PM2.5 as well.
Air Quality Roadmap
Singapore today enjoys an air quality better than many cities in Asia and comparable with US and European cities. We have also been faring well with the PSI in the ‘Good’ range 96% of the time in 2011.
Like many other major cities, air emissions from the industries and motor vehicles are the two key sources of air pollution domestically. Transboundary smoke haze from the land and forest fires in the region is also a problem which affects Singapore’s air quality intermittently during the South West Monsoon period from August to October.
Integrated urban and industrial planning, as well as development control have enabled the government to put in place preventive air pollution control measures during the planning stage. In addition, legislation, strict enforcement programme and air quality monitoring have helped to ensure that air quality remains good despite our dense urban development and large industrial base.
To work towards attaining even higher air quality targets by 2020, NEA has put together a roadmap with a set of abatement measures to achieve sustainable growth and development while maintaining public health and economic competitiveness (see Annex II for Singapore’s air quality targets for 2020).
Some of the key measures are as follows:
· Emission standards for off-road diesel engines based on US Tier 2 / Japan Tier I / EU Stage II by 1 July 2012;
· Euro V emission standards for new diesel vehicles by 1 January 2014;
· Euro IV emission standards for new petrol vehicles by 1 April 2014;
· Mandatory supply of near sulphur-free diesel with less than 0.001% sulphur by July 2013;
· Motor vehicles to use petrol with sulphur content less than 0.005% by 1 October 2013;
· Reduction of SO2 emissions from oil refineries and power stations through use of natural gas and lower sulphur fuels. Refineries will also improve their processes to reduce emissions by 2020.
The above measures are already in the pipeline for implementation while other measures are being studied in consultation with the relevant industries. NEA will share the details when these other measures are firmed up (see Annex III for a summary of the abatement measures).
The Sustainable Singapore Blueprint (SSB) was launched in 2009 with the target to achieve an annual mean of 15µg/m3 of SO2 and 12µg/m3 of PM2.5 by 2020. The new air quality targets which are pegged to WHO AQGs will be aligned with these SSB targets. The final WHO AQGs for PM2.5 and SO2 will beSingapore
ANNEX II
Singapore Ambient Air Quality Targets
Pollutant
Singapore Targets by 2020
Long Term Targets
Sulphur Dioxide
(SO2)
24-hour mean: 50µg/m3
(WHO Interim Target)
Annual mean: 15 µg/m3
(Sustainable Singapore Blueprint target)
24-hour mean: 20µg/m3
(WHO Final)
Particulate Matter
(PM2.5)
Annual mean: 12µg/m3
(Sustainable Singapore Blueprint target)[2]
24-hour mean: 37.5µg/m3
(WHO Interim Target)
Annual mean: 10µg/m3
24-hour mean: 25µg/m3
(WHO Final)
Particulate Matter
(PM10)
Annual mean: 20 µg/m3
24-hour mean: 50 µg/m3
(WHO Final)
Ozone
8-hour mean: 100µg/m3
(WHO Final)
Nitrogen Dioxide
(NO2)
Annual mean: 40µg/m3
1-hour mean: 200µg/m3
(WHO Final)
Carbon Monoxide
(CO)
8-hour mean: 10mg/m3
1-hour mean: 30mg/m3
(WHO Final)
ANNEX III
Summary of Abatement Measures
Pollutant
Measures
Sulphur Dioxide
(SO2)
From July 2013, NEA will mandate the supply of Near Sulphur-Free Diesel (NSFD) with a sulphur content of 0.001% to pave the way for Euro V emission standards for diesel vehicles and further reduce SO2 emissions from diesel vehicles and industries.
By 1 October 2013, NEA will mandate cleaner petrol for motor vehicles with sulphur content lower than 0.005% to pave the way for the Euro IV emission standards. This will also reduce HC and NOx1 which will give rise to ozone.
NEA, together with EDB, will work with refineries to improve their processes and decrease their SO2 emissions. Power stations are also working towards using cleaner fuels for their energy needs in order to lower their SO2emissions. As the power stations and industries switch to the use of cleaner fuels to reduce SO2, there will also be a simultaneous reduction in other pollutants including PM2.5. [In progress]
Particulate Matter
(PM2.5 + PM10)
From July 2013, NSFD with sulphur content less than 0.001% sulphur will be mandatory for motor vehicles and industries.
By 1 January 2014, the Euro IV emissions standards will give way to the stricter Euro V emission standards for all new diesel vehicles registered. The particulate emissions of Euro V diesel passenger cars are significantly lower than that of Euro IV diesel cars.
Ozone[3]
From 1 April 2014, new petrol vehicles will have to comply with Euro IV emission standards.
ANNEX IV
Regions for Enhanced Air Quality Reporting
Region
Town Centres
North
· Kranji
· Woodlands
· Sembawang
· Yishun
· Seletar
· Punggol
South
· Holland
· Queenstown
· Pasir Panjang
· Sentosa
· City
East
· Serangoon
· Hougang
· Pasir Ris
· Tampines
· Kallang
· Katong
· Macpherson
· Bedok
· Pulau Ubin
· Pulau Tekong
West
· Lim Chu Kang
· Choa Chu Kang
· Tuas
· Jurong East
· Jurong West
· Jurong Industrial Estate
· Bukit Batok
· Ulu Pandan
· West Coast
· Clementi
Central
· Bukit Panjang
· Pierce Reservoir
· Ang Mo Kio
· Bishan
· MacRitchie
· Toa Payoh
· Bukit Timah
[1] WHO has set Interim Targets for countries to make incremental reduction of air pollution in working towards attaining the final AQGs.
[2] Sustainable Singapore Blueprint annual target for PM2.5 of 12µg/m3 will be retained and aligned with WHO Interim Target of 37.5 µg/m3 for 24-hour mean
[3] Ozone is not directly emitted but is formed through complex chemical reactions involving hydrocarbons (HC) and nitric oxide & nitrogen dioxide (NOx) in the presence of sunlight. HC and NOx emitted from motor vehicles, industries, power stations and refineries are the precursors for ozone formation.
NEWS
Press Release
Singapore to adopt higher air quality targets
Date Published: 23 Aug 2012
Singapore, 23 August 2012 – The National Environment Agency (NEA) will be implementing a suite of measures to achieve higher national air quality standards by 2020.
Following the acceptance of the recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Ambient Air Quality (see Annex I for details), the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) will be adopting the World Health Organisation (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) for particulate matter 10 (PM10), Nitrogen Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide and Ozone, and the WHO AQG’s Interim Targets[1] for PM2.5 and Sulphur Dioxide, as Singapore’s air quality targets for 2020. These targets will enable Singapore to achieve a high standard of public health and economic competitiveness.
As announced at this year’s Budget Debate, NEA will also increase the reporting frequency of the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) which measures five key pollutants namely particulate matter PM10, Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide and Sulphur Dioxide in the ambient air from once a day to three times daily. The daily reports will include PM2.5 as well.
Air Quality Roadmap
Singapore today enjoys an air quality better than many cities in Asia and comparable with US and European cities. We have also been faring well with the PSI in the ‘Good’ range 96% of the time in 2011.
Like many other major cities, air emissions from the industries and motor vehicles are the two key sources of air pollution domestically. Transboundary smoke haze from the land and forest fires in the region is also a problem which affects Singapore’s air quality intermittently during the South West Monsoon period from August to October.
Integrated urban and industrial planning, as well as development control have enabled the government to put in place preventive air pollution control measures during the planning stage. In addition, legislation, strict enforcement programme and air quality monitoring have helped to ensure that air quality remains good despite our dense urban development and large industrial base.
To work towards attaining even higher air quality targets by 2020, NEA has put together a roadmap with a set of abatement measures to achieve sustainable growth and development while maintaining public health and economic competitiveness (see Annex II for Singapore’s air quality targets for 2020).
Some of the key measures are as follows:
· Emission standards for off-road diesel engines based on US Tier 2 / Japan Tier I / EU Stage II by 1 July 2012;
· Euro V emission standards for new diesel vehicles by 1 January 2014;
· Euro IV emission standards for new petrol vehicles by 1 April 2014;
· Mandatory supply of near sulphur-free diesel with less than 0.001% sulphur by July 2013;
· Motor vehicles to use petrol with sulphur content less than 0.005% by 1 October 2013;
· Reduction of SO2 emissions from oil refineries and power stations through use of natural gas and lower sulphur fuels. Refineries will also improve their processes to reduce emissions by 2020.
The above measures are already in the pipeline for implementation while other measures are being studied in consultation with the relevant industries. NEA will share the details when these other measures are firmed up (see Annex III for a summary of the abatement measures).
The Sustainable Singapore Blueprint (SSB) was launched in 2009 with the target to achieve an annual mean of 15µg/m3 of SO2 and 12µg/m3 of PM2.5 by 2020. The new air quality targets which are pegged to WHO AQGs will be aligned with these SSB targets. The final WHO AQGs for PM2.5 and SO2 will beSingapore
Enhanced Air Quality Reporting
NEA also recognises the need to update the public more frequently on air quality to help them better plan their activities for the day. Starting 24 August 2012, the PSI will be reported on the NEA website athttp://aap2.nea.gov.sg/psi.aspx three times a day at 8 am, 12 noon and 4 pm. In addition, NEA will be making PM2.5 levels available together with the PSI readings at these timings. The PSI is currently reported once a day at 4 pm.
The PSI readings as well as PM2.5 levels will be reported according to the five regions of Singapore – North, South, East, West and Central (see details in Annex IV).
Health advisories will also be issued by region so that the public can be better prepared. During periods of transboundary haze, NEA will continue to provide hourly updates on air quality.
- End -
ANNEX I
Background Information on Air Quality Review
The Advisory Committee on Ambient Air Quality was formed in July 2010. It was tasked to advise on a set of air quality targets for Singapore in view of international air quality benchmarks that were being continuously reviewed to safeguard public health. The Committee also took into consideration Singapore’s unique position with its dense urban development and major fuel burning industries in close proximity in the mainland, as well as industrial developments in the pipeline for the next 10 years.
The committee was chaired by the NEA with representatives from Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Economic Development Board, Energy Market Authority, Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Singapore Environment Council, Singapore Tourism Board, National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, National Health Group and the Singapore Health Services.
The committee completed its work in July 2011 and its recommendations were based on the assessment that the WHO AQGs are internationally recognised and rigorous as they are backed by scientific findings and health studies. The committee also advised that NEA should work towards achieving the WHO AQGs for all air pollutants in the long term.
MEWR, together with NEA, reviewed the recommendations of the Advisory Committee and the SSB commitments and has worked with relevant government agencies and various stakeholders to arrive at a set of revised national air quality targets pegged to the WHO AQGs.
ANNEX II
Singapore Ambient Air Quality Targets
Pollutant
|
Singapore Targets by 2020
|
Long Term Targets
|
Sulphur Dioxide
(SO2)
|
24-hour mean: 50µg/m3
(WHO Interim Target)
Annual mean: 15 µg/m3
(Sustainable Singapore Blueprint target)
|
24-hour mean: 20µg/m3
(WHO Final)
|
Particulate Matter
(PM2.5)
|
Annual mean: 12µg/m3
(Sustainable Singapore Blueprint target)[2]
24-hour mean: 37.5µg/m3
(WHO Interim Target)
|
Annual mean: 10µg/m3
24-hour mean: 25µg/m3
(WHO Final)
|
Particulate Matter
(PM10)
|
Annual mean: 20 µg/m3
24-hour mean: 50 µg/m3
(WHO Final)
| |
Ozone
|
8-hour mean: 100µg/m3
(WHO Final)
| |
Nitrogen Dioxide
(NO2)
|
Annual mean: 40µg/m3
1-hour mean: 200µg/m3
(WHO Final)
| |
Carbon Monoxide
(CO)
|
8-hour mean: 10mg/m3
1-hour mean: 30mg/m3
(WHO Final)
| |
ANNEX III
Summary of Abatement Measures
Pollutant
|
Measures
|
Sulphur Dioxide
(SO2)
|
From July 2013, NEA will mandate the supply of Near Sulphur-Free Diesel (NSFD) with a sulphur content of 0.001% to pave the way for Euro V emission standards for diesel vehicles and further reduce SO2 emissions from diesel vehicles and industries.
|
By 1 October 2013, NEA will mandate cleaner petrol for motor vehicles with sulphur content lower than 0.005% to pave the way for the Euro IV emission standards. This will also reduce HC and NOx1 which will give rise to ozone.
| |
NEA, together with EDB, will work with refineries to improve their processes and decrease their SO2 emissions. Power stations are also working towards using cleaner fuels for their energy needs in order to lower their SO2emissions. As the power stations and industries switch to the use of cleaner fuels to reduce SO2, there will also be a simultaneous reduction in other pollutants including PM2.5. [In progress]
| |
Particulate Matter
(PM2.5 + PM10)
|
From July 2013, NSFD with sulphur content less than 0.001% sulphur will be mandatory for motor vehicles and industries.
|
By 1 January 2014, the Euro IV emissions standards will give way to the stricter Euro V emission standards for all new diesel vehicles registered. The particulate emissions of Euro V diesel passenger cars are significantly lower than that of Euro IV diesel cars.
| |
Ozone[3]
|
From 1 April 2014, new petrol vehicles will have to comply with Euro IV emission standards.
|
ANNEX IV
Regions for Enhanced Air Quality Reporting
Region
|
Town Centres
|
North
|
· Kranji
· Woodlands
· Sembawang
· Yishun
· Seletar
· Punggol
|
South
|
· Holland
· Queenstown
· Pasir Panjang
· Sentosa
· City
|
East
|
· Serangoon
· Hougang
· Pasir Ris
· Tampines
· Kallang
· Katong
· Macpherson
· Bedok
· Pulau Ubin
· Pulau Tekong
|
West
|
· Lim Chu Kang
· Choa Chu Kang
· Tuas
· Jurong East
· Jurong West
· Jurong Industrial Estate
· Bukit Batok
· Ulu Pandan
· West Coast
· Clementi
|
Central
|
· Bukit Panjang
· Pierce Reservoir
· Ang Mo Kio
· Bishan
· MacRitchie
· Toa Payoh
· Bukit Timah
|
[1] WHO has set Interim Targets for countries to make incremental reduction of air pollution in working towards attaining the final AQGs.
[2] Sustainable Singapore Blueprint annual target for PM2.5 of 12µg/m3 will be retained and aligned with WHO Interim Target of 37.5 µg/m3 for 24-hour mean
[3] Ozone is not directly emitted but is formed through complex chemical reactions involving hydrocarbons (HC) and nitric oxide & nitrogen dioxide (NOx) in the presence of sunlight. HC and NOx emitted from motor vehicles, industries, power stations and refineries are the precursors for ozone formation.
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