Smog in Chiang Mai hits highest level for year

The amount of tiny dust in the air was double the safety level of 120 mg per cu/m, and some 2,200 residents were reportedly seeking medical treatment for smog-triggered illnesses.

Nakhonping Hospital in Mae Rim district reported 589 patients with respiratory problems and allergic reactions.

However, the smog figures were still below 382.7 mg per cu/m, the highest ever measure, taken on March 14, 2007.

Chiang Mai health office exe-cutive Dr Surasing Wisaruthrat said the air pollution level was |dangerous to people in the pro-vince and nearby areas. He urged people – especially children, |elderly people and pregnant |women – not to stay outdoors |for a long time. But if they have |to go out they should wear a facemask, while those indoors should seal windows and doors and turn |on air conditioners to try to purify the air.

The visibility in general was about 200-500 metres, while Chiang Mai International Airport reported visibility under 300 metres, an informed source reported yesterday.

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai Office for Natural Resources and Environment director Jongkhai Worapongsathorn told a press conference yesterday the forest fire fighting operation from February 15 until March 8 had received 457 forest fire complaints and found 3,820 rai of damaged areas – most of which were in Mae Chaem, Chiang Dao, Mae Taeng, Om Koi and Hot districts. 

Chiang Mai University (CMU)’s Faculty of Mass Communications dean Jiraporn Witiyasakphan told the media a seminar on smog solutions would be held on March 17 at the CMU Academic Service Centre.