Pollution improves, but Chiang Mai braced for more

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Pollution improves, but Chiang Mai braced for more

By The Nation

 

Chiang Mai International Airport

 

The haze situation in urban Chiang Mai had improved by Friday morning but remained hazardous enough in some areas that vulnerable groups – small children, the elderly and the infirm – were still being advised to wear facemasks while outdoors.

 

Downtown Chiang Mai had a PM2.5 level – particulates 2.5 microns or less in diameter – of 38 micrograms per cubic metre of air, down from 43.88 on Thursday. 

 

There was a slew of cropland-clearing fires this week ahead of an announced ban on outdoor burning throughout March and April, necessitating immediate measures to discourage the practice.

 

The Pollution Control Department (PCD) put PM2.5 levels in the North between 35 and 63mcg, the upper figure recorded in the tambons of Mae Mo in Lampang’s Mae Mo district and Ban Klang in Muang Lamphun.

 

Bangkok and five neighbouring provinces were below the safe limit of 50mcg, the PCD said, and the situation was expected to improve further on Saturday thanks to measures taken by state agencies.

 

In the Northeast, PM2.5 ranged from 49-67mcg, with tambon Nai Muang in Muang Khon Kaen worst off.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30364186

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-02-15

[Lungstib]

With the continued road widening and addition of multiple lanes on ring roads Chiang Mai can kiss goodbye to any hope of improvement in the near future, especially considering how many vehicles are big engined diesel. Staying in Doi Saket a few days ago I left home at 9.30am with the sun just beginning to warm the air. Just over half way to the city I realised there was now no sun, a dull haze had taken its place. With Bangkok in full, ugly view for everyone to see Chiang Mai proceeded in the same destructive manner. The 'blessings' of car ownership in cities.

[Captain_Bob]

False numbers... The PM2.5 AQI levels have never dropped below 50 in weeks, more like 100-200 the past week. Worst mid-February air I've witnessed in 15 years here. 

"Chiang Mai braced for more" - Well no shit, of course this is just the start, same as every year. Feb/Mar/Apr crappy air. May as well change the dates for such "news" to any other year - same thing repeat repeat.... 

[Samuel Smith]

Since when is pm2.5 reading of 50 considered safe?  That's same as AQI of 137.  Hardly something to boast about!

[Aussieroaming]

What a joke after all of the talk about fining people for burning. 

[Thailand]

Doi Suthep had disappeared earlier this morning.

[arithai12]

Pollution improves my foot, ooops I mean my lungs.

Does the PCD Chiang Mai office have windows, do they ever look outside?