Cover image via astroawani.com"The haze is back and it's bad," you say. Yes, it's that time of the year again.
The government offices in Putrajaya were covered in haze with a moderate Air Pollution Index (API) reading of 88 on September 2, 2015
Image via Astro Awani
The Star reports that the haze is due to open burning in Indonesia's Sumatra and Kalimantan provinces "as it is the fastest way to clear plantation and forest lands."
What do the numbers in the Air Pollution Index (API) mean? Basically, anything above 100 is considered unhealthy.
The **highest API** value ever to be recorded in **Malaysia** was **839 in Kuching** back in **1997 during the Southeast Asian haze** that was caused by the **forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra.**
Ever wondered what is actually in the smoky mess that you inhale every year?
So, why is Indonesia constantly lighting up their forests and dirtying up our air?
**Oil palm,** being one of the major **reasons for forest clearance** in Indonesia, has also been a **crucial contributor to the Indonesian economy** with most countries in **Asia heavily consuming palm oil.**
In order to cultivate oil palm plantations, unscrupulous people have succumbed to drastic measures to gain profit
With **growing demands for palm oil** from heavily populated countries like **India and China,** the **number of forest fires in Indonesia has been hiking up too,** causing **extensive air pollution** in neighboring countries, especially in **Malaysia and Singapore.**
Image via Forest News Blog
Palm oil is really commonly used in food products, cosmetics, body products, and cleaning agents. Pretty much 'everything' you use on a daily basis.
This isn't the first time our over- consumption of palm oil has come under flak. The French Ecology Minister has urged the people to stop eating Nutella to save the environment. More on this:
Image via MPOB
Unfortunately, we made the list too. World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) have named Malaysia as one of the biggest contributors to air pollution in Southeast Asia
Surely there are laws against burning forests in Malaysia?
The law which falls under the National Forestry Act 1984, Act 313, Section 82 prohibits the people from carrying, keeping or leaving fire burning in forest reserves.
We can't play the blame game anymore as several Malaysian owned firms have been sued in the past for starting forest fires in Riau, Sumatra
Okay, perhaps you've heard enough about forest fires. It's been raining these days, that will clear things up, right?
According to the **Malaysian Meteorological Department,** only a **heavy downpour teamed with thunderstorms and strong wind movements** would help to **clear up the haze.**
Image via CNN
Breathing in the haze on a daily basis can't be good for us, that's for sure
Should the **haze worsen,** the **public** are usually advised to **stay indoors** and **avoid unnecessary outdoor activities.**
If you find it's way too suffocating, protect your living environment by getting the best air purifiers with [Lazada Vouchers](http://coupon.says.com/lazada-coupons/) today.
