FAQ on Air Quality
1. What are the major sources of air pollution?
The main sources of air pollution in Singapore are from the burning of fossil fuel for heat generation in industries, electricity generation and transportation.
The sources of air pollution can be grouped into three categories as follows:
- stationary sources such as power stations, oil refineries and industries;
- mobile sources such as motor vehicles; and
- others such as open burning of waste materials and transboundary air pollution.
2. What are the main air pollutants emitted into the environment?
The main air pollutants are sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, ozone, lead, hydrocarbons and particulates
3. What are the measures adopted in Singapore in controlling air pollution?
The following measures are adopted by Singapore in controlling air pollution :
- minimising emissions at source; and
- minimising the impact of residual pollution on surrounding developments by proper siting of industries
4. How does Singapore monitor its ambient air quality?
NEA monitors the ambient air quality through the Telemetric Air Quality Monitoring and Management System. The system comprises remote air monitoring stations linked to a Central Control System via dial-up telephone lines, provides an efficient means of obtaining air quality data.
The monitoring stations monitor both ambient and roadside air quality. The automatic analysers and equipment at the stations measure the concentrations of major pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, ozone, hydrocarbons and respirable suspended particles (PM10).
5. What are the Act or Regulations governing the control of air pollution in Singapore?
In Singapore, air pollution control is regulated under the Environmental Pollution Control Act (EPCA) 1999 and its subsidiary Regulations. The Environmental Pollution Control (Air Impurities) Regulations 2000 stipulate emission standards for air pollutants.
6. What control measures and enforcement programme have been put in place to prevent air pollution?
NEA assesses and evaluates the hazard and pollution impact of the proposed industries to ensure that they do not pose unmanageable pollution, health and safety hazards. An industry is allowed to be set up only if it is sited in an appropriate industrial estate and can comply with pollution control requirements. NEA also checks the designs of industrial plants and pollution control equipment at the building plan stage for compliance with pollution control requirements.
In Jan 97, ENV introduced a scheme which requires industries to conduct source emission tests. This is to ensure that industries monitor their exhaust emissions regularly and take remedial measures where necessary to comply with the air emission standards.
NEA conducts regular inspections of stationary sources of pollution to ensure that pollution control equipment is maintained and operated properly. It also conducts source tests on gaseous emissions, fuel analyses and smoke observations of chimneys.
7. If there is a Code of Practice on air pollution control for industries?
NEA has published the Code of Practice on Pollution Control which contains information on air pollution control requirements and emission standards. A copy of the Code of Practice is available from the internet. Click here.