Dangerous pollution spreads to Northeastern region
Air pollution from a high level of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) has continued to intensify. The problem is no longer limited to the Northern region, but also to the Northeast.
Tak’s Mae Sot district was found to have the most severe air pollution problem from PM2.5 in Thailand. The PM2.5 peak level as of Tuesday morning, measured by the Pollution Control Department (PCD), was as high as 211.21 milligrams per cubic metre of air, while the PM2.5 daily average level was at 133.41 milligrams.
Lampang was the second most hazardous area, as the PM2.5 level reached as high as 189 milligrams in the morning and the daily average was 133.5 milligrams.
The PM2.5 level at Khon Kaen in the Northeast rose up to 132.17 milligrams on Tuesday morning and had a daily average at 90.2 milligrams.
Chiang Mai and Nan also suffered from harmful levels of PM2.5, as PCD’s data revealed daily averages of 96.34 and 49.1 milligrams respectively.
Thailand’s safe standard for daily-average PM2.5 is 50 milligrams, while the World Health Organisation’s recommended level is just 25 milligrams.
According to medical experts, long-term exposure to PM2.5 can cause many fatal diseases such as lung cancer, stroke and heart disease, and lead to premature death.