More seek treatment in the smog-hit North
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A number of 25,389 residents in eight northern provinces sought medical treatment for respiratory symptoms during February 7-14 as air pollution intensified.
Suraphan Sangsawang, acting director of Health Promotion Centre 1 in Chiang Mai, said that Chiang Rai produced the largest number of patients during the period, 5,535. Chiang Mai followed with 5,396 patients and Lampang, 3,579.
The data was collected from eight provinces including Lamphun, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Phrae and Nan.
Compared to the same period last year, the number increased slightly, the doctor said.
He believed that the situation worsened last week because of the burning of agricultural plantations to clear the fields.
Farmers are barred from the burning during February 16-April 15. The doctor believed that dust particles would drop during the period.
