Air Pollution in Northern Thailand Expected to Decrease Due to Rainfall

(CTN News) – The Public Health Ministry reports that over 2.4 million individuals in northern Thailand have had health concerns related to Air Pollution and that this number is projected to drop between tomorrow and Monday owing to rainfall.

Public Health permanent secretary Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong revealed yesterday that PM2.5 values in the north were between 48 and 234 g/m3. Chiang Mai had 279 hotspots, followed by Chiang Rai with 215 and Nan with 115.

Air Pollution PM2.5 Levels in Eight Provinces Exceed Safe Threshold, Causing Health Problems

Eight provinces have had PM2.5 values higher than 51 g/m3 in the preceding three days. The Muang and Chalerm Prakiat districts of Nan; the Muang, Chiang Dao, and Mae Chaem districts of Chiang Mai; the Muang, Mae Sai, and Chiang Khong districts of Chiang Rai; the Muang districts of Phrae and Phayao; the Muang and Li districts of Lamphun; the Muang and Mae Mo districts of Lampang and Mae Hong Son; and the Pai and Mae Sariang districts of Lamphun.

By Monday, winds are expected to have reduced dust levels in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces. Seventeen provinces in the north, including Chiang Rai and Nan, still need careful surveillance, nevertheless.

Rain is forecast for the northern regions from tomorrow through Monday, and the situation has improved since yesterday thanks to stronger winds in the region’s upper portions.

Red Zones Designated for Areas with PM2.5 Levels Above 150 µg/m³

Dr. Opas disclosed that red zones would be declared where PM2.5 levels are above 150 g/m3 and that village chiefs would be notified four times daily (at 7 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m.). Hospitals dedicated to promoting health in Tambons will send out health teams to provide residents with primary care and virtual clinics.

There are now three village health volunteer teams out in the field, and Area Health 1 has received 122,000 N95 masks, while Area Health 2 has received 50,000. With 184,465 new instances registered just this past week, the total number of patients impacted by air pollution now stands at 2.47 million.

Some individuals have skin or eye conditions, while others have trouble breathing. Dr. Opas added that nasal inflammation (34.23 percent), coughing (24.3 percent), and eye inflammation (20.72 percent) are the most prevalent symptoms.

Yesterday’s air quality survey revealed that PM2.5 concentrations in 30 provinces were above the 50 g/m3 standard. The northern region had air pollution levels between 43 and 211 g/m3, whereas Bangkok and the surrounding regions had 33 and 66 g/m3 levels.

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