Thailand’s air quality crisis: 64 provinces hit by severe dust pollution
Unsafe levels of ultrafine dust pollution affected 64 out of 77 provinces in Thailand, as reported by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) this morning. At 7am, 17 provinces were experiencing hazardous red levels of PM2.5 particles.
Sing Buri recorded the highest PM2.5 level at 95.5 microgrammes per cubic metre. It was closely followed by Si Sa Ket (91.2), Yasothon (85.3), Ubon Ratchathani (84.6), Trat (84.2), Lop Buri (83.9), Saraburi (82.1), Ang Thong (80.4), Kalasin (80.1), Roi Et (79.6), Surin (78.1), Chai Nat (78), Chachoengsao (75.7), Nong Khai (75.6), Samut Songkhram (75.4), Nakhon Phanom (75.3), and Nong Bua Lam Phu (75.2).
The safe threshold is set at 37.5 microgrammes per cubic metre.
Thirteen provinces maintained safe air quality, while nine provinces experienced moderate air quality, with PM2.5 levels represented by yellow, ranging from 25.2 to 36.6 microgrammes per cubic metre. These provinces included Phangnga, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ranong, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Phrae, Phayao, Krabi, and Chiang Rai.
Good air quality was reported in Lampang (24) and Mae Hong Son (18.4), while very good conditions were noted in Chiang Mai (14.9) and Lamphun (13.7), reported Bangkok Post.
Forty-seven other provinces experienced orange levels of PM2.5, ranging from 41.5 to 74.7 microgrammes per cubic metre, indicating the start of health impacts. These included Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Nan, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phuket, and Samut Prakan.
In similar news, the health ministry predicts that air quality will remain good until January 30, with PM2.5 levels expected to return by early February. Residents are advised to prepare for potential pollution, particularly when engaging in outdoor activities and should monitor air quality levels regularly.
On January 28, at the Ministry of Public Health’s Health Information Centre, Doctor Warat Chotipitayasunont, the government spokesperson on PM2.5 air pollution issues, provided a daily update on the air quality situation. He stated that PM2.5 levels were very good or in the blue range in six provinces: Surin, Sa Kaeo, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Nayok, Suphan Buri, and Bueng Kan.
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