Urgent plan to reduce PM2.5 – National Environment Board
With the air pollutant PM2.5 rising to harmful levels in some areas of Bangkok and increasing in other cities, the National Environment Board has approved an urgent plan. Pollution Control Department chief Atthaphon Charoenchansa says the plan has 12 measures to tackle pollution. It will be submitted to the Cabinet for review.
A “pollution information centre” will be formed with a spokesperson to report on Thailand’s air quality situation and a subcommittee focused on forest fires in 17 northern provinces. The committee would act similar to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration by providing information to the public and working on solutions.
The plan also includes a smartphone application to regulate seasonal burning which contributes to Thailand’s air pollution. The application would be used to book specific times for burning.
The board is also looking into using satellite images through the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency to predict levels of dust pollution and provide alerts with a forecast.
“A 3 day advance dust forecast is the most practical tool to deal with PM2.5 by alerting people in affected areas via SMS.”
According to the Air Visuals, pollution levels are expected to rise this week to an Air Quality Index, or AQI, of 151 to 200, which is considered to be unhealthy. Air Visuals recommends closing windows at home to avoid the dirty outdoor air and to reduce outdoor exercise.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
