Despite being a clean
and green country, the carbon emissions in Singapore is relatively high in
proportion to its size. This proposal is a response to the poor air quality
that we breathe in due to the high carbon emissions.
Singapore
is one of the most well-established countries in the world. We have many
vehicles roaming our streets along with industrial building constantly
releasing harmful particles into the air on a daily basis. In fact, a research
by the National Climate Change Secretariat of Singapore stated that “Singapore
contributes to 0.11% of the global emissions”. The percentage may seem small,
but considering the size of our country, it is a rather large contribution. The
article further shows that Singapore ranks 123rd place in terms of CO2 per
dollar GDP, ahead of countries like the United Kingdom and France which are
many times larger than our country. This shows that Singapore does have an
issue with air pollution.
Air is essential to
every human being, however, the air that we are breathing in could be affecting
our health in the long run. Such harmful particles are known as ‘particulate
matter 2.5’, PM2.5. It refers to tiny particles that are 2.5 micrometers (µm) or less in diameter, often called fine PM. PM2.5
causes by men are more severe than natural sources, the particles are directly
emitted into the air from motor vehicles, forest burnings, and industrial
gases. As they are so small and light, they stay longer in the air causing the
air to be polluted and increases the chances of people inhaling it. Due to
their tiny size, the particles are able to enter our lungs and circulatory
system. This could cause health hazards both in the short and long run. An
article published on the US National Library of Medicine National Institute of
Health (NCBI, 2002) stated that “Long-term
exposure to combustion-related fine particulate air pollution is an important
environmental risk factor for cardiopulmonary and lung cancer mortality.”Based
on a guideline by WHO, the PM2.5 levels should be at 10µgc annual mean and
25µgc for 24 hours mean. According to the psi index by NEA, the psi levels in
Singapore currently falls within the range of 50 to 60µgc which are beyond the
the levels listed in the WHO guidelines
The
factors which have contributed to PM 2.5 in Singapore are mainly from vehicles
and industrial factories. These PM 2.5 can also be the product formed by
chemical reactions in the atmosphere. An article by The Straits Times stated
that “due to the concentration of particle vapour and local emissions - from
cars and factories”. These small-sized particles are not entirely from the
neighbouring country that carries out deforestation which in the later part of
the article stated “experts point to culprits closer to home: factories and
cars”.
During
the haze period, one of the strategies that Singaporean use to counter haze
problem is to stay indoors and use air-conditioners, as is it advisable to
limit outdoor activities when the PSI level is high. While all doors and
windows are closed, it can limit the particles in the haze from entering the
houses. However, conventional air-conditioners are unable to filter the tiny
particles like PM2.5, so there are still chances of breathing them in.
When
indoors, the air conditional will always be on. A building grade air
conditioning uses Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system, known as
HVAC. The main purpose of a HVAC system is to provide thermal comfort and
acceptable indoor air quality. The most common HVAC system used in buildings
are called packaged rooftop units. As the name goes, it is located on the
rooftops.
An ideal innovative
campus should adopt an advanced approach which can circulate clean indoor air
and provide a conducive environment to study without being affected by the air
quality. Due to the location of the SIT@Dover, the air quality is affected by
the carbon emission of cars along the highway and the industrial buildings near
the coast. This results in a build-up of air pollution around the school which
would be harmful to students. Inserting electrostatic precipitators to the air
cons, it will filter out PM2.5 particles from the indoor air and circulate back
clean air around the room. The purpose of this report is to propose to the
facility manager of SIT@Dover to install electrostatic precipitators into the
current campus and, to emphasise to the facility manager that this advance
approach can provide a conducive learning space for the students.
