Even a little haze is bad for health

For those who missed this article in The Straits Times today, I thought the article is informative, especially for us who like to jog outdoors (even in the haze!!!). And for those who are contemplating to run even amid the thick haze ("because SCSM is less than 2 months away!!"), pls reconsider ..... the long term side effects might be worse ...

I have extracted key points (verbatim) herein. Pls read ....

1. The haze here mainly comprises minute particles of ash - called particulate matter - that are 10 microns or smaller. Meterologists call these particles PM10. The PSI readings take into account five pollutants but they have this month been much the same as the PM10 level in the air.


2. Breathin in too much PM10 increases the risk of heart attacks and heart failure, lung cancer and strokes. It can also make people more susceptible to viral and bacterial infections.


3. An ongoing American Cancer Society study of 500K people has found that :
   
   • deaths from lung cancer go up by 8%
   
   
   • death heart disease by 6%
   
   
   • death from other causes by 4%
   
   for every 10 microgram increase of PM10 in the air.


4. A quick check with some doctors in NUH found that most felt there was less harm in not exercising outdoors for a couple of weeks than exposing the body to the long-terms effects of the haze


5. A Health Ministry spokesman yesterday said long-term exposure to air pollution was known to have an impact on mortality associated with heard & lung diseases

In summary, check the air quality outside before you decide to go for a run outdoors. Health is more important than your training schedule. Think the treadmills will be super overworked this period :P

The papers said that the haze might stay for a couple of weeks ... arghhhh!!!