Singapore PM2.5 Air Quality Monitor

Monitor real-time PM2.5 air quality levels across Singapore regions

Last Updated

National Average

µg/m³

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North

µg/m³

South

µg/m³

East

µg/m³

West

µg/m³

Central

µg/m³

Region	PM2.5 Reading	Air Quality	Health Advisory

About PM2.5 Air Quality Monitoring

PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, making them a significant health concern. This tool provides real-time PM2.5 readings across Singapore's five main regions: North, South, East, West, and Central.

The data is sourced directly from the Singapore government's open data platform (data.gov.sg), which aggregates readings from the National Environment Agency (NEA) monitoring stations strategically placed across the island. Readings are updated hourly and cached to provide you with the most current air quality information.

Understanding PM2.5 levels helps you make informed decisions about outdoor activities, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, elderly, and people with respiratory conditions. The tool displays readings alongside health advisories based on Singapore's National Environment Agency air quality standards.

How to Use the PM2.5 Monitor

View Regional Data: The tool displays PM2.5 readings for all five regions of Singapore (North, South, East, West, Central) along with a national average.
Check Air Quality Status: Each reading is color-coded based on air quality bands: Good (Green), Moderate (Yellow), Unhealthy (Orange), Very Unhealthy (Red), and Hazardous (Purple).
Read Health Advisories: Click on any region to view specific health recommendations based on current PM2.5 levels.
Refresh Data: Click the "Refresh Data" button to fetch the latest readings. Data is automatically cached for one hour to ensure freshness.
Monitor Trends: Check the last updated timestamp to know when the readings were recorded.
Plan Outdoor Activities: Use the readings and advisories to decide whether it's safe to engage in outdoor activities or exercise.

Understanding PM2.5 and Air Quality

What is PM2.5?

PM2.5 stands for Particulate Matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers. To put this in perspective, a human hair is about 70 micrometers in diameter, making PM2.5 particles approximately 30 times smaller. These particles come from various sources including vehicle emissions, industrial processes, construction activities, and natural sources like forest fires and sea spray.

Air Quality Index (AQI) Bands

Good (0-12 µg/m³): Air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no risk.
Moderate (13-55 µg/m³): Air quality is acceptable. Sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy (56-150 µg/m³): Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.
Very Unhealthy (151-250 µg/m³): Health alert - everyone may experience more serious health effects.
Hazardous (Above 250 µg/m³): Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is likely to be affected.

Health Impact of PM2.5

Short-term exposure to PM2.5 can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath. Long-term exposure has been linked to chronic respiratory diseases, heart disease, and reduced lung function. Children, elderly, pregnant women, and people with existing heart or lung conditions are particularly vulnerable.

Singapore's Regional Divisions

Singapore is divided into five regions for air quality monitoring:

North: Includes Woodlands, Sembawang, Yishun, and surrounding areas
South: Covers areas like Sentosa, Marina Bay, and southern industrial zones
East: Encompasses Changi, Pasir Ris, Tampines, and eastern regions
West: Includes Jurong, Clementi, Bukit Batok, and western areas
Central: Covers the central business district and surrounding central areas

Common Use Cases

✓Exercise Planning: Check PM2.5 levels before jogging, cycling, or outdoor exercise to protect your respiratory health.
✓Children's Activities: Ensure air quality is safe before allowing children to play outdoors, especially during haze seasons.
✓Health Management: Monitor air quality if you have asthma, COPD, or other respiratory conditions.
✓Haze Monitoring: Track PM2.5 levels during Southeast Asian haze periods (typically June-October).
✓Event Planning: Make informed decisions about outdoor events, sports activities, or gatherings.
✓Travel Planning: Check which region has better air quality when planning day trips within Singapore.
✓Workplace Safety: Assess outdoor working conditions for construction, landscaping, and other outdoor occupations.
✓School Activities: Help schools decide whether to conduct outdoor PE lessons or postpone outdoor events.

Data Sources and Updates

This tool uses official Singapore government data sources to ensure accuracy and reliability:

data.gov.sg PM2.5 API: Real-time PM2.5 readings from the National Environment Agency (NEA) monitoring stations across Singapore.
Update Frequency: Data is refreshed hourly from government sensors. Our cache system ensures you always get recent data while minimizing server load.
Cache Duration: PM2.5 data is cached for 1 hour. This means you'll get fresh readings every hour automatically, or you can manually refresh for the latest data.
Monitoring Stations: NEA operates multiple monitoring stations across Singapore, strategically placed to represent air quality in different regions.

All data is provided by Singapore government agencies and follows international air quality monitoring standards (WHO guidelines).

Protection and Safety Measures

When PM2.5 is Moderate (13-55 µg/m³):

Limit prolonged outdoor exertion if you are unusually sensitive
Keep windows closed during peak pollution hours
Monitor symptoms like coughing or breathing difficulty

When PM2.5 is Unhealthy (56-150 µg/m³):

Reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion
Sensitive groups should take frequent breaks during outdoor activities
Consider wearing N95 masks if you must be outdoors
Use air purifiers indoors with HEPA filters

When PM2.5 is Very Unhealthy (151-250 µg/m³) or Hazardous (>250 µg/m³):

Avoid all outdoor physical activities
Stay indoors with windows and doors closed
Use N95 masks if you must go outdoors
Run air purifiers continuously
Seek medical attention if you experience breathing difficulties
Schools should cancel outdoor activities

General Tips:

Stay hydrated to help your body cope with air pollution
Consult your doctor if you have respiratory conditions
Keep rescue inhalers handy if you have asthma
Follow NEA advisories and health warnings

Important Notes

Data Accuracy: PM2.5 readings are provided by government monitoring stations and represent regional averages. Actual air quality at your specific location may vary slightly due to local factors like traffic, construction, or industrial activities.

Update Frequency: Data is cached for 1 hour and refreshed automatically. Click "Refresh Data" to manually fetch the latest readings. Government sensors update readings continuously, but our cache ensures optimal performance.

Haze Season: During the Southeast Asian haze season (typically June-October), PM2.5 levels can fluctuate rapidly. Check more frequently during this period and follow NEA advisories.

Regional Variations: PM2.5 levels can differ significantly between regions. If one area shows unhealthy levels, consider activities in regions with better air quality.

Not Medical Advice: This tool provides air quality information only. If you experience health symptoms or have respiratory conditions, consult a healthcare professional.

Browser Requirements: This tool requires JavaScript enabled for real-time data updates. All data processing happens in your browser for privacy.

Privacy: No personal data or location information is collected. All readings are public government data displayed for informational purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often is PM2.5 data updated?

The data is cached for 1 hour and refreshed hourly. PM2.5 readings come from the Singapore government's National Environment Agency (NEA) monitoring stations, which update continuously. You can manually refresh the data anytime by clicking the "Refresh Data" button to get the latest hourly reading.

What is PM2.5 and why is it important?

PM2.5 is fine particulate matter 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing serious health effects. PM2.5 is considered the most harmful air pollutant for human health, linked to respiratory diseases, heart disease, and reduced lung function. Monitoring PM2.5 helps you protect your health by avoiding outdoor activities during poor air quality.

What PM2.5 level is considered safe?

Good air quality is 0-12 µg/m³, which poses little or no risk. Moderate levels (13-55 µg/m³) are generally acceptable but sensitive individuals should be cautious. Unhealthy levels start at 56 µg/m³. Singapore follows WHO guidelines and NEA standards for air quality assessment.

How do I protect myself when PM2.5 is high?

When PM2.5 is unhealthy (>56 µg/m³), reduce outdoor activities, stay indoors with windows closed, and use air purifiers. Wear N95 masks if you must go outside. When levels are very unhealthy or hazardous, avoid all outdoor activities, run air purifiers continuously, and seek medical help if you experience breathing difficulties. Children, elderly, and people with respiratory conditions should take extra precautions.

Why do different regions show different PM2.5 readings?

Air quality varies across Singapore due to factors like wind patterns, proximity to industrial areas, traffic density, and local geography. The North region might be affected by cross-border pollution from Malaysia, while the West has industrial zones. The Central region typically has higher vehicle emissions. NEA maintains monitoring stations in each region to provide accurate local readings.

What causes high PM2.5 levels in Singapore?

Common sources include vehicle emissions, industrial activities, construction dust, and transboundary haze from forest fires in neighboring countries (especially Indonesia and Malaysia during the dry season). During the annual haze season (typically June-October), PM2.5 levels can spike significantly due to slash-and-burn agricultural practices in the region.

Can I rely on this data for health decisions?

Yes, this tool uses official data from Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA), which is the authoritative source for air quality information. However, this is informational data only and not medical advice. If you have health concerns or respiratory conditions, consult your doctor about air quality impacts on your specific situation.

What's the difference between PM2.5 and PSI?

PM2.5 measures only fine particulate matter concentration in micrograms per cubic meter. PSI (Pollutant Standards Index) is a broader air quality index that considers multiple pollutants including PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, O3, and CO. PM2.5 is more specific and often considered more relevant for health impacts. This tool focuses on PM2.5 as it's the most harmful pollutant for respiratory health.

Is N95 mask necessary when PM2.5 is moderate?

For moderate PM2.5 levels (13-55 µg/m³), N95 masks are not necessary for most people. Only unusually sensitive individuals need to take precautions. N95 masks become important when levels reach unhealthy (56+ µg/m³). During very unhealthy or hazardous conditions, N95 masks are essential if you must be outdoors. Regular surgical masks do not effectively filter PM2.5 particles.

Does this tool work on mobile devices?

Yes, this PM2.5 monitor is fully responsive and works on all smartphones and tablets. The interface adapts to smaller screens for easy reading on the go. This is especially useful for checking air quality before outdoor activities or commuting.

Can children play outside when PM2.5 is moderate?

Yes, children can generally play outside during moderate PM2.5 levels (13-55 µg/m³), but limit prolonged strenuous activities. Watch for symptoms like coughing or breathing difficulty. When levels are unhealthy or above, reduce outdoor play time and avoid vigorous activities. During very unhealthy or hazardous conditions, keep children indoors entirely.

How accurate are the regional PM2.5 readings?

The readings are very accurate as they come from calibrated NEA monitoring stations using scientific-grade equipment. However, they represent regional averages. Your specific location might have slightly different readings due to hyperlocal factors like nearby traffic, construction, or industrial activities. The readings are best used as a general indicator for decision-making.