Haze - Definition and Overview

Haze is an atmospheric phenomenon where dust, smoke and other pollutant particles obscure the normal clarity of the sky. It occurs when dust and smoke particles accumulate in relatively dry air. When weather conditions block the dispersal of smoke and other pollutants they concentrate and form a usually low-hanging shroud that impairs visibility and may become a respiratory health threat. Dense haze is also known as smog.

Haze in Southeast Asia

Haze is a regular problem in Southeast Asia caused by land and forest fires especially in Indonesia. Those fires mainly affects Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The economic losses of the fires in 1997 have been estimated at US$9.3 billion [1] (http://www.haze-online.or.id/help/history.php). This includes damages in agriculture production, destruction of forest lands, health, transportation, tourism, and other economic endeavours. Not included are social, environmental, and psychological problems and long term health effects.

As a reaction Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) formed a Regional Haze Action Plan (RHAP) and established a co-ordination and support unit (CSU) (http://www.haze-online.or.id/).