Smog up North goes beyond safety levels

Meanwhile, a recent poll by Maejo University said 90.33 per cent of people living in the North were afraid they would develop dust-triggered respiratory problems, eye irritation and rash, while another 47.83 per cent were worried about transport problems due to poor visibility.

The poll, in which 600 residents were interviewed in 13 provinces in the North from February 25 to March 2, reported that 54.84 per cent of the respondents found this year’s dust to be more severe than that of last year. Also, 83.5 per cent of the respondents believed the smog resulted from some people’s recklessness and the habit of burning objects outdoors. 

Of the proposed solutions, 80.67 per cent backed a campaign against outdoor burning plus community participation in environment conservation; 70.5 per cent were for disseminating information about proper disposal of agricultural waste, while 54.33 per cent want those who burn forests, farmland or garbage to be severely punished. 

Separately, a fire that ravaged a 80-rai peat swamp area in Narathiwat’s Sungai Kolok district for a week now hit critical levels yesterday as gusty winds kept the flames high and hampered fire-fighters’ work. Smoke from this fire has also been reportedly affecting local residents’ health.