North sees return of dangerous levels of PM2.5 particles

[snoop1130]

North sees return of dangerous levels of PM2.5 particles

By Kriangkrai Rattana, 
Panwich Yoodee 
The Nation 

 

Chiang Mai International airport

 

Many northern provinces on Monday were suffering from dangerous levels of PM2.5 dust particles, including Tambon Wiang Phang Kham in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district with the day’s peak of 117 micrograms per cubic metre (mcg) of air, more than double the Thai safety limit of 50mcg.

 

Chiang Mai city, meanwhile, again returned to a covering of haze and poor visibility, with 58-70mcg readings after a period of good-quality air since March 5.

 

The level of PM2.5 particles in the nine northern provinces ranged from 29mcg to 117mcg as of 9am on Monday, the Pollution Control Department reported. 

 

The areas with beyond-safe PM2.5 levels included: Tambon Jong Kham (81mcg) in Mae Hong Son’s Mueang district; Tambon Nai Wiang (81mcg) in Nan’s Mueang district and Tambon Huai Kon (77mcg) in Chalem Phra Kiat district; and Tambon Chang Pheuk (70mcg) and Tambon Sri Phum (58mcg) in Chiang Mai’s Mueang district.

 

Beyond-safe levels were also experienced in: Tambon Phra Baht (64 mcg) in Mueang district and Tambon Ban Dong (75mcg) in Mae Mo district of Lampang; Tambon Wiang (56mcg) in Chiang Rai’s Mueang district ; Tambon Na Chak (66mcg) in Phrae’s Mueang district; and Tambon Ban Tom (67mcg) in Phayao’s Mueang district. 

 

Phayao – in the midst of combating multiple outbreaks of forest fire – reported that officials had put out a fire that damaged a total of 100 rai (16 hectares) in Tambon Dong Jen of Phu Kamyao district, which stemmed from villagers lighting fires while poaching for forest products. 

 

A satellite-image report cited Mae Hong Son province as of 1.54am on Monday having 115 fire hot spots, especially in the three districts of Pai (33 hot spots), Pang Mapha (30) and Mueang (29).

 

These were contributing to a dangerous PM2.5 level of 81mcg, although Srisangwal Hospital had not yet detected any unusual increase in the number of respiratory patients.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30365584

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-03-11

[Samuel Smith]

pm2.5 readings were around 300µg/m³ around Chiang Mai today.  Where are the PCD getting their readings?

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

[akirasan]

22 minutes ago, Samuel Smith said:

pm2.5 readings were around 300µg/m³ around Chiang Mai today.  Where are the PCD getting their readings?

Probably from TAT.

 

In the north east I haven't seen the sky for about one month, just some grey soup.

[DNPBC0]

There is no such thing as a 'safety limit'. The press which continues to assert this is not only wrong, but can be seen as complicit in a massive propaganda drive to minimise the extremely serious health impacts of much lower levels of PM2.5 in the North and Northeast.

[webfact]

North chokes on toxic haze largely from Myanmar fires

By Kriangkrai Rattana, Panwich Yoodee ,Nathawat Laping 
THE NATION

 

A view from the Mae Sai District Health Office on Monday shows the city in Chiang Rai enveloped in haze, with the day’s PM2.5 particulate level peaking at 128mcg, well beyond the Thai safety limit of 50mcg.Photo Nathawat Laping

 

THE NORTH was once again choking under dangerous levels of PM2.5 dust particles yesterday. For instance, tambon Wiang Phang Kham in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district cited the day’s peak at 128 micrograms (mcg) per cubic metre of air, more than double the Thai safety limit of 50mcg. As of 11am, the district also hit 238 in its Air Quality Index score (AQI), more than double the safety limit of 100.

 

 

The harmful haze was worsened by smoke from forest fires on the Myanmar side, with a satellite image on Sunday showing 1,035 hot spots in the neighbouring country, and 516 in Thailand (123 of which were in the North, with only two in Chiang Rai). 

 

With border district Mae Sai topping the North’s PM2.5 peak for two consecutive days (128mcg yesterday and 80mcg on Sunday), residents were told to avoid outdoor activities.

 

Chiang Rai Governor Prajon Prachsakul, meanwhile, urged local officials to implement problem-solving measures and coordinated with the Thai-Myanmar Township Border Committee in an effort to get Myanmar to strictly implement measures against outdoor burning and forest fires.

 

According to the Thai Pollution Control Department, PM2.5 particulates in the nine northern provinces ranged from 29mcg to 117mcg as of 9am yesterday. 

 

Air pollution in tambon Wiang Phang Kham stood at 117mcg at 9am and further worsened to 128mcg at 11am.

 

 

Muang Chiang Mai, meanwhile, was once again enveloped in haze, with readings of 58-70mcg after a period of better air since March 5. 

 

The areas with beyond-safe PM2.5 levels included the tambons of Jong Kham (81mcg) in Mae Hong Son’s Muang district; Nai Wiang (81mcg) in Nan’s Muang district and Huai Kon (77mcg) in Chalerm Phra Kiat district; and Chang Pheuk (70mcg) and Sri Phum (58mcg) in Chiang Mai’s Muang district. 

 

Beyond-safe levels were also experienced in tambons Phra Baht (64 mcg) in Muang district |and Ban Dong (75mcg) in Mae Mo district of Lampang; Wiang (56mcg) in Chiang Rai’s Muang |district; Na Chak (66mcg) in Phrae’s Muang district; and Ban Tom (67mcg) in Phayao’s Muang district. 

 

Phayao – in the midst of combating multiple outbreaks of forest fire – reported that officials had put out a fire that damaged 100 rai (16 hectares) in tambon Dongjen of Phukamyao district, which stemmed from villagers lighting fires while poaching for forest products. 

 

Two Bangkok Airways flights from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son – PG251 at 9.20am and PG352 at 10.35am – were cancelled yesterday due to visibility problems. 

 

 

Mae Hong Son’s PM2.5 level stood at 91mcg with the AQI level of 201 as of 11am. So far, four flights have been cancelled this month due to haze. 

 

A satellite-image as of 1.54am yesterday showed Mae Hong Son province as having 115 hot spots, especially in the three districts of Pai (33 hot spots), Pang Mapha (30) and Muang (29). These were contributing to a dangerous the PM2.5 level of 81mcg, although Srisangwal Hospital had not yet detected any unusual increase in the number of respiratory patients.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30365602

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-03-12

[Somtamnication]

Pretty bad. I landed yesterday at Chiang Rai. The runway had their lights on! They were not on before.

[wisperone]

Chiang Mai is back in the number 3 position on AirVisual for most polluted cities of the day. Sad.

[YetAnother]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

with the day’s peak of 117 micrograms per cubic metre (mcg) of air, more than double the Thai safety limit of 50mcg

in it's wisdom, the thailand standard is double the WHO standard , the rest of the world's , at 25; if thailand can't make their own standard , just double it, and call it 'close'

Edited March 11, 2019 by YetAnother

[ZeVonderBearz]

The air cleared up a little for a few days but it wasn't ever safe during this time. I wonder long for the political elite to get off their Batty's and take action or do they just wait for rains. 

[JAS21]

12 hours ago, akirasan said:

Probably from TAT.

 

In the north east I haven't seen the sky for about one month, just some grey soup.

We were around Mae Moh and also Nan and Sirikit three weeks ago.... no sky and no distant hills...went on a little golfing holiday to get away from Nonthaburi air...big mistake ...

Edited March 11, 2019 by JAS21

[mikebell]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The harmful haze was worsened by smoke from forest fires on the Myanmar side,

Meanwhile in Pattaya I vacuumed the gauze mesh on my windows and doors to remove the highly visible ash/dust from the local temple's burning of its garden refuse (well I think/hope it was garden refuse) and the local chicken incinerators on every corner.

Edited March 11, 2019 by mikebell
omission.

[canopy]

The thai forestry department deliberately burns untold amounts of their forests in an absurd process they refer to as "fuel management". Only in Thailand they decimate pristine forests contributing to unhealthy air and then blame everything on burma.

 

[canopy]

9 minutes ago, ZeVonderBearz said:

I wonder long for the political elite to get off their Batty's and take action or do they just wait for rains. 

 

They wait for the rains and just do nothing. Last year activists trying to bring more awareness of how bad the problem is resulted in these people becoming furious, shaming the activists, and slapping a law suit on them. That's where Thailand is right now--you don't dare complain because the people just love burning. They burn their garbage, their fields, forests, sweep every blade of grass and twig in their yard and burn it. They light their cooking fires using pieces of old plastic shoes. They burn to stay warm rather than wear warm clothes. Everything is burned and they love it. I ask thai people what that haze is in the air? They think it is a pretty white mist as they cough and rub their eyes.

 

[Samuel Smith]

[ecline]

"According to the Thai Pollution Control Department, PM2.5 particulates in the nine northern provinces ranged from 29mcg to 117mcg as of 9am yesterday." I don't know where they get these numbers. The website https://www.cmaqhi.org/ shows Chedi Mae Krua (out past Mae Jo) as having a PM 2.5 AQI of 337, which is rated as "Hazardous". Converting that number to PM 2.5 concentration here https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.calculator gives 237.2 micrograms per cubic meter. Yesterday Sankhampaeng showed similar levels as of 9AM. Maybe they average over entire provinces.

[holy cow cm]

_{Just taking the daughter to day camp activities at school, the air in CM is beyond bad today.} 

[Borzandy]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

North chokes on toxic haze largely from Myanmar fires

I knew it was not Thailand fault.

[Samuel Smith]

41 minutes ago, ecline said:

"According to the Thai Pollution Control Department, PM2.5 particulates in the nine northern provinces ranged from 29mcg to 117mcg as of 9am yesterday." I don't know where they get these numbers. The website https://www.cmaqhi.org/ shows Chedi Mae Krua (out past Mae Jo) as having a PM 2.5 AQI of 337, which is rated as "Hazardous". Converting that number to PM 2.5 concentration here https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.calculator gives 237.2 micrograms per cubic meter. Yesterday Sankhampaeng showed similar levels as of 9AM. Maybe they average over entire provinces.

Even if they're using readings averaged over 24 hours, I don't believe them.  My meter has readings of 300 micrograms per cubic meter in the morning, & only down to 100 by late afternoon, which is usually the clearest time of day.  Location San Kamphaeng

[boonrawdcnx]

Ah the good old Myanmar story resurfacing again it’s not us - it’s them!

They forgot that also regular people have - thanks to the internet - access to this information.

This is an absolute disgrace! The worst I have seen in years!

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

[boonrawdcnx]

Congratulations ! Number ONE!!!



Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[unamazedloso]

pm2.5 is 257 right now where i am in kanchanaburi. With masks on its still vertually impossible to breath.

Local Govs do nothing and it always seems that news report much lower measures than it is and kanchanaburi for example is rarely talked about but it makes chiangmai look great. More people need pm2.5 devices to see whats really going on here. Officials are lying and blaming everything else but the root causes. They should be held accountable!!!!

[davemos]

Not just Chang Mai

[dcnx]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

North chokes on toxic haze largely from Myanmar fires

By Kriangkrai Rattana, Panwich Yoodee ,Nathawat Laping 
THE NATION

Just shameful. Have you lying, propaganda spreading, sorry excuse for “journalists” ever seen a satellite fire map? 

 

Thailand is just as guilty as everyone else. To continue this lie that the neighbors are the reasons is poor journalism and a flat out lie.

 

It’s moments like this when ruin your reputation as a nation and as a people when you show the world you can not be trusted and will bold face lie even when health is on the line. Despite your development and fancy malls, you’re third world through and through. 

 

Just shameful.

[davemos]

Welcome to Thailand ...Land Of Smog.

[toofarnorth]

4 hours ago, canopy said:

 

They wait for the rains and just do nothing. Last year activists trying to bring more awareness of how bad the problem is resulted in these people becoming furious, shaming the activists, and slapping a law suit on them. That's where Thailand is right now--you don't dare complain because the people just love burning. They burn their garbage, their fields, forests, sweep every blade of grass and twig in their yard and burn it. They light their cooking fires using pieces of old plastic shoes. They burn to stay warm rather than wear warm clothes. Everything is burned and they love it. I ask thai people what that haze is in the air? They think it is a pretty white mist as they cough and rub their eyes.

 

You're spot on canopy , they love burning.  Opposite my house they get delivered pineapples for re distribution, the sacks they arrive in are large plastic ones . Do they get taken to the refuse collection point 50 metres away , hmm , they do not , burning is easier.  Then they sweep the yard and cut down green twigs and set light to that , all day , no flames just smoke . I am ferlang they are nearly Thai ( Burmese ) , have to live with it , eyes sore now , mountains in the smog.

[CGW]

1 hour ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

Hit 'em in the pocket. 

Only thing that will work! - yet very rarely does Thailand get any adverse press in "foreign" media, must be doing their bit for ? ????

[dcnx]

16 minutes ago, CGW said:

Only thing that will work! - yet very rarely does Thailand get any adverse press in "foreign" media, must be doing their bit for ? ????

Nah, when you blame your neighbors it’s not your fault. 

 

 

[cnx101]

It is not from Burma as they blame everything 

[ecline]

I flew from Luang Prabang, Laos to Chiang Mai in mid Feb. Looking out the window while flying over Laos I could count the number of fires I saw on one, maybe two, hands. As soon as we crossed into Thailand it looked like the whole country was on fire. Entire hillsides and even mountain peaks were burning, plus innumerable small fires in and around villages. Lest the fake news police try to call me out on this, I have pics too....