Rainmakers consider seeding Bangkok sky as PM2.5 returns to ‘safe’ level

[webfact]

Rainmakers consider seeding Bangkok sky as PM2.5 returns to ‘safe’ level

By The Nation

 

 

The Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department is preparing to seed clouds above Bangkok in an attempt to ease the capital’s smog problems.

 

Haze has spread over the capital over the past few days, causing a health hazard for vulnerable people, and leading Agriculture and Cooperatives minister Grisada Boonrach to order that rainmaking operations be carried out. 

 

Two of the department’s aircraft took off yesterday in response to the order to survey the city’s conditions and plan rainmaking. 

 

Rainmaking operations have previously helped fight the haze crisis in the North. 

 

The Pollution Control Department announced at 3pm yesterday that the amount of PM2.5 particulate matter in Bangkok had returned to safe limits. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter below 2.5 micrometres in diameter. 

 

“The amount ranged between 38 and 49 micrograms per cubic metre of air,” the department said. 

 

According to the department, PM2.5 poses a health threat when it reaches above 50 micrograms per cubic metre of air, while the World Health Organisation puts the limit at 25 micrograms. 

 

Environmental group Greenpeace Thailand has lately reported that authorities must take into account PM2.5 levels when assessing air quality. 

 

In the past, the Pollution Control Department usually used PM10 as their main indicator and excluded the PM2.5 measurements.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30338598

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-12

[lopburi3]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“The amount ranged between 38 and 49 micrograms per cubic metre of air,” the department said. 

Wonder why online reports are not in agreement?  Currently listed as 158 (unhealthy) and has not been below 74 in past 48 hours.  Chua Hospital currently reporting 151 and other reports across Bangkok are all red (unhealthy).  It appears they may be using the figures for PM10 levels rather than PM2.5 that they are talking about?  

Edited February 12, 2018 by lopburi3

[1337markus]

PM 2.5 levels are the ones that affect health thats why they dont report it, it would scare away any prospective tourist$.  Check air quality index in other countries they all broadcast PM 2.5.

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department is preparing to seed clouds above Bangkok

Just need a day that rain is forecasted.

 

[chickenslegs]

Yes, let's spread a load of chemicals into the air above Bangkok. That'll fix everything.

[MaxLee]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department is preparing to seed clouds above Bangkok in an attempt to ease the capital’s smog problems.

Oh great idea to flood the city instead 

[PAIBKK]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Rainmakers consider seeding Bangkok

They forgot the "B" before "rainmakers".

Too many without a brain sucking up the air.

[uffe123]

I think they forgot to warn all the tourist who come here. Please bring you own mask, we will not pay if you wind up in the hospital with emphysema. What a great place to live, cant even breathe the air.

[Xonax]

In China they are closing down factories on some weekdays, when the smog is becoming a health threat.