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The transboundary haze as a result of bush burning in Indonesia pushed Singapore's three-hour pollutant standards index (PSI) to a record high of 290 on Wednesday evening.
The three-hour PSI reading has stayed above 100 most of the time since Monday, when the haze started to visibly affect the air quality and shroud the landmarks in the city state.
A reading above 100 means that the air quality is unhealthy, and it is considered "hazardous" if the reading hits 300.
The previous worst smog reading was 226 in 1997.
The haze was largely a result of fire being used to burn bushes on Sumatra so that the lands can be utilized for agricultural purposes.
Singapore's National Environment Agency and other authorities have voiced their concerns with Indonesian authorities and urged Indonesia to take tougher actions to reduce the haze.
The National Environment Agency said the haze has been affecting Singapore since June 13. It advised children, the elderly and those with heart or lung diseases to reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor activities. Others are also advised to limit prolonged or heavy outdoor activities.
The hazy conditions are expected to persist for a few days, it said.
The sale of masks has been on the rise in Singapore, with some of the pedestrians covering their mouths and noses. Several organizations such as the civil defense, the armed forces and the Ministry of Home Affairs have all reduced physical and outdoor training. Local supermarket chain NTUC FairPrice issued face masks to all of its pump attendants at its petrol stations.
Singapore's Environment Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said earlier on Wednesday that Singaporeans are "very frustrated, angry and distressed about the situation."
Indonesia has tough laws against bush burning but has problems with the enforcement of the laws, he said.
