HAZE @ SouthEast Asia

HAZE @ SouthEast Asia

Effects of the haze

In the last haze crisis in 1997-98, the country lost an estimated RM9 billion in damage to farming, tourism and transport.

Assoc Prof Dr. Ahmad Makmom Abdullah from the Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Environmental Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia gives us an idea of some of the effects of the haze.

Animals

It is not just humans who suffer. Respiratory problems in large animals are also aggravated by the haze.

Plants

Haze reduces sunlight and long periods of it may impact on growth and yield of crops that rely on sunlight for photosynthesis. Lack of sunlight decelerates the fruit ripening process.

For example, following the 1997 haze from July to September, palm oil yield was on a decline from November of that year, reaching its lowest production levels in January 1998.

Traffic and harbour operations

Poor visibility forces motorists to use headlights during the day.

Irregular traffic congestion was reported, and ports were closed when visibility fell below 300m.

In 1997, four accidents occurred in the Straits of Malacca during the haze period.

Economy

Drop in number of tourist arrivals resulting in reduced flight and hotel reservations, work days lost, and a decrease in agricultural crop production, among others.

THE SUN Malaysia
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=10631

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Education

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• HAZE
• SouthEast
• Asia