Severe shortage of N95 masks leave many Bangkokians at risk

[webfact]

 

Severe shortage of N95 masks leave many Bangkokians at risk

By The Nation

 

Many people wear masks as they attend aerobic workouts at Lumpini Park in central Bangkok yesterday. The PM2.5 level has been dangerously high, covering the capital with thick smog. Photo Anant Chantarasoot

 

AFTER spending several days choking on high levels of fine particle dust, many Bangkokians opted for masks to protect themselves, though some were unable to find the N95-grade facemasks required and are calling for the authorities to cover the shortage.
 

Meanwhile, an online poll conducted by The Standard online magazine among 2,200 residents on Monday and yesterday revealed that 50.3 per cent wore masks to protect themselves, while the remainder complained they could not find one. They said they had visited many pharmacies and convenience stores, but were told they would only get one in two weeks if they make a reservation or post order for the product now . 

 

Another poll conducted by the magazine on Twitter found that 53 per cent of the 715 respondents wore a facemask. Most people responded to the question – “How do you live with PM2.5 [dust particles 2.5 micrometers or smaller in size]?” – by criticising the government for being too slow in dealing with the issue and not having any remedial measures in place. Many also complained of developing respiratory problems due to the dust. 

 

Yesterday morning, several people on Lat Phrao Road were seen wearing masks to protect themselves from allergies or health problems. They too complained of the shortage of N95-grade masks and called on the government to ease the shortage. 

 

Similarly masked people were spotted on Sathorn and Silom roads, while pharmacies in the Victory Monument area confirmed a severe shortage in the N95-grade masks. 

 

Meanwhile, joggers in Chatuchak’s Wachirabenchathat Park were also seen wearing masks, in line with official advice that people should protect themselves while outdoors because PM2.5 levels in many areas were beyond the safe limit of 50 micrograms per cubic metre of air. 

A man identified only as Krit said he has been wearing an N95 mask during his daily run and is closely following air-quality updates and warnings. 

 

Some runners said they have halved their jogging period from the usual two hours, as running any more than an hour will lead to breathing difficulties. They said they will exercise at home if the situation does not improve, while many complained of respiratory irritation and breathing difficulties this week. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30362319

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-01-16

[notasmartassknowitallfarag]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Some runners said they have halved their jogging period from the usual two hours,

Really, two hours jogging? 

[fruitman]

We've also been searching for them but they're sold out everywhere. Why the government doesn't do anything to protect us?

 

When will those smoke fuming buses finally be replaced? And the smokey bbq's? And the trash fires?

[dinsdale]

This pic says it all. Seen many Thais wearing these masks in absolute ignorance of reality. Absolutely useless. Same as wearing no mask at all as p.m. 2.5 will go straight through. Nothing less than N95.????

[alanrchase]

54 minutes ago, fruitman said:

We've also been searching for them but they're sold out everywhere. Why the government doesn't do anything to protect us?

 

When will those smoke fuming buses finally be replaced? And the smokey bbq's? And the trash fires?

Seem to be plenty available on Lazada. 

[MaxLee]

And it's gonna get worse. Nothing has been done for centuries about this issue. Piss poor planning and Zero maintenance of transportation, as well as access to suitable train areas, which all forces many lower middle class earners to middle class earners to buy an own vehicle in masses.....

 

That's what ya get after all this "masterful piece of political retarded complacency" to put it mildly this way....... 

 

The cars are not gonna get less, the industrialization ain't gonna go away, and century old buses, mini vans and spoilt brats racing like there is no tomorrow are also not gonna go away so easily........... 

 

You get it???

[wreckingcountry]

We've also been searching for them but they're sold out everywhere. Why the government doesn't do anything to protect us?
 
When will those smoke fuming buses finally be replaced? And the smokey bbq's? And the trash fires?

Umm like ... never


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[UPDEHSOI]

Just now, dinsdale said:

This pic says it all. Seen many Thais wearing these masks in absolute ignorance of reality. Absolutely useless. Same as wearing no mask at all as p.m. 2.5 will go straight through. Nothing less than N95.????

Well, the girlfriend couldn't find a proper mask. had to improvise.

[1duckyboy]

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

This pic says it all. Seen many Thais wearing these masks in absolute ignorance of reality. Absolutely useless. Same as wearing no mask at all as p.m. 2.5 will go straight through. Nothing less than N95.????

Agree and an N95 mask needs to be fit flush around the face without any gaps to be effective. Effective N95 masks won't work with beards. Cheap, ineffective knockoff N95 masks should be arriving any day, possibly contracted for by Thai government officials. 

[PhilippBKK]

It must be a surgical mask scam....

 

 

[Tracyb]

I found information from 3M regarding respirator mask standards.  They state that P2 masks meet the N95 standard.  The info is worth reading in order to help folks find masks.  The P2 masks by 3M are available here in Chiang Mai.  I bought some yesterday in prep for “smoke season”.  Folks In Bangkok may be able to find them there, too.  If your store has no N95 masks, you might try asking for the P2.  Up to you!

 

Here is the link to that info.....

 

http://www.cleanroom.com.au/pdfs/Masks/P2_N95_comparisons.pdf

[Tailwagsdog]

36 minutes ago, UPDEHSOI said:

Well, the girlfriend couldn't find a proper mask. had to improvise.

Thats a great idea! I'm gonna raid my gf's bra draw now, .....they won't arrest me for some rule about decency in public will they?

[fruitman]

13 minutes ago, Tailwagsdog said:

Thats a great idea! I'm gonna raid my gf's bra draw now, .....they won't arrest me for some rule about decency in public will they?

Padded bra's won't work mate....????

[bushwacker]

This is getting really serious IMHO

[superal]

3 hours ago, dinsdale said:

This pic says it all. Seen many Thais wearing these masks in absolute ignorance of reality. Absolutely useless. Same as wearing no mask at all as p.m. 2.5 will go straight through. Nothing less than N95.????

and the N95 , OK for dust but not fumes

 

3 hours ago, dinsdale said:

This pic says it all. Seen many Thais wearing these masks in absolute ignorance of reality. Absolutely useless. Same as wearing no mask at all as p.m. 2.5 will go straight through. Nothing less than N95.????

N95 , OK for dust , no good for fumes / diesel pollution . Stationary vehicles in grid locked traffic are exacerbating the problem which has not been addressed despite earlier promises by the government . Has to be a solution as so many people being exposed to high levels of toxicity .  

[theguyfromanotherforum]

3 hours ago, fruitman said:

We've also been searching for them but they're sold out everywhere. Why the government doesn't do anything to protect us?

 

 

 

Go back to nanny state. Simples ????

[Tchooptip]

3 hours ago, alanrchase said:

Seem to be plenty available on Lazada. 

Yes because many are sold from abroad, Korea or China, I bought mines on Lazada months ago, a box of 25, using one for about one month, not all day long, only on the motorbike. I am not in Bangkok but in Samui however sometimes while following a pickup on the road, in a cloud of black smoke I thought maybe it would be wise to buy a few good quality masks because the masks like on the picture are inefficient for the small particles. My wife does not care because she wears a mask too, but I suspect it has nothing to do with particles. but with the sun, it's not to tan LOL

By the way, I never saw a westerner wearing a mask in Samui, only the Chinese, I wear a helmet too which is just as not common here