Public Health ministry gears up for seasonal PM2.5 air pollution

By The Nation

 

Dr Sukhum Kanchanapimai, Public Health Ministry permanent secretary (Centre)

 

The top official at the Public Health Ministry and ministry administrators held a video conference with physicians in provincial public health centres nationwide to be prepared and monitor the health impact of PM2.5 dust particles, which usually increase in December every year.

 

 

The video conference was arranged on Friday (November 22) at the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre, the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Nonthaburi province.

 

Ministry permanent secretary Dr Sukhum Kanchanapimai urged the physicians to be prepared to deal with the dust particle situation, to provide information to people, especially asthma patients, the elderly, children and patients, to monitor patients, to submit reports every week, as well as open Public Health Emergency Operation Centre if the amount exceeds 75 micrograms per cubic metre over three days.

 

PM2.5 are atmospheric particulate matter having a diameter less than 2.5 micrometres.

 

“The prime minister, deputy prime minister, the Minister of Public Health and the Deputy Minister of Public Health are concerned about the PM2.5 dust particle problem and have appointed the Ministry of Public Health to cooperate with related authorities to tackle this problem,” he said.

 

“The Office of the Permanent Secretary is ready to open the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre at four levels -- in provinces, health zones, departments, and ministries.”

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30378650

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-11-23

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45 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Ministry permanent secretary Dr Sukhum Kanchanapimai urged the physicians to be prepared to deal with the dust particle situation,

excellent example of problem-solving in thailand; doctors don't deal with the particle 2.5 problem, they deal with patients; government is the only entity that can deal with the pm 2.5 issue ; please,let's just keep shifting the responsibility to others

53 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

urged the physicians to be prepared to deal with the dust particle situation, to provide information to people

And that is as far as it goes. The acceptance of air pollution is now a fact and there will be no attempt to combat pollution at source because it is against the desires of the people who are making money from industry, construction and car sales. Live with it, thats what we are being told.

In addition I would add that the local police "force" and the fire brigades will be instructed that as soon as the fires starts that they will act in the way they have to do; with fines/arresting and the fight the fires with all the resources  they have even with water-planes.

If there are bigger fires employ the army from the start, then they also have to do something and let the generals be in charge ( there are enough generals in this country to do so)

This all from the start of the problem to let the people know that there will be actions takes from the beginning.

I also know there will not be police and firemen enough to do this all and I hope that  I am not dreaming again.

The PM 2.5 problem is not "seasonal" anymore it is perpetual!

14 minutes ago, Skallywag said:

The PM 2.5 problem is not "seasonal" anymore it is perpetual!

It becomes seasonal when politicians want some publicity and blather words with no action to follow.

40 minutes ago, Skallywag said:

The PM 2.5 problem is not "seasonal" anymore it is perpetual!

Worry not! They have a solution.

 

So now we'll see the police doing something finally?

3 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

Worry not! They have a solution.

 

I prefer full suit so it also comply with immigration dress code. 

 

oh great. MOPH never heard of the expression "an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure*. just let it happen and monitor the situation. 

2 hours ago, Skallywag said:

The PM 2.5 problem is not "seasonal" anymore it is perpetual!

Borderline eternal? ????

1 hour ago, irwinfc said:

oh great. MOPH never heard of the expression "an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure*. just let it happen and monitor the situation. 

Yes, you are correct. If only all Western Idioms translated so well. ????  Try asking a Thai what a pound is, what an ounce is, forget prevention it is to close to maintenance.

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Public Health ministry gears up for seasonal PM2.5 air pollution

But why do you talk about a seasonal problem? It is a permanent problem in all of Thailand!
There is nothing to smile about, it is a very serious thing that costs a lot of people life, you forbid smoking but not these harmful emissions!

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The top official at the Public Health Ministry and ministry administrators held a video conference with physicians in provincial public health centres nationwide to be prepared and monitor the health impact of PM2.5 dust particles, which usually increase in December every year.

You have your share of publicity again today!
What does monitoring mean? If the dead are not as many as you expected do you want to increase emissions?

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The top official at the Public Health Ministry and ministry administrators held a video conference with physicians in provincial public health centres nationwide

 

Public Health ministry gears up for seasonal PM2.5 air pollution
 

...Me too. Ready for leave Chiang Mai these killers months.

seasonal? isnt it  all year  round?

Seeing sugarcane fields popping up in many places, better buy your blue air machine and filters now while you can.

5 hours ago, RotMahKid said:

I hope that  I am not dreaming again.

You are!! (in my humble opinion, of course )

I would rather hear what the are going to do to prevent

or at least reduce PM 2.5 ,than what to do to prepare for

it,

regards Worgeordie

Gearing up by burning the medians on the 4 lanes or at least here in Kabin Buri

Don’t wait for the government to proclaim unhealthy air.  Buy yourself a home PM2.5 monitor.  Then you can take action based on your own tolerance level of PM2.5 air pollution.  On days with readings over 40–we spend more time in a sealed air conditioned room. Paradoxically, that could also include taking a ride in an air conditioned vehicle. And when it worsens—we head for the beach.

They go to the public to tell them they will do nothing ????

7 hours ago, Skallywag said:

The PM 2.5 problem is not "seasonal" anymore it is perpetual!

Sadly, you're right. And there seems to be no escaping it and air pollution generally.

 

As I write, the air quality index (AQI) reading of 95 for the coastal resort where I originally moved to enjoy the "fresh" sea breezes is nearly double the recommended Thai "safe" level -  and nearly four times the World Health Organisation maximum.

 

The current concentration of PM 2.5 pollution - responsible for numerous health problems, including some which are fatal - is presently 38 µg/m³. This compares with a WHO recommended limit of 25 µg/m³ - and tomorrow, even higher readings are forecast. 

 

Interestingly, carbon dioxide - demonised as a the greenhouse gas responsible for global warming - is not listed as an AQI pollutant. Which makes on wonder: instead of panicking over a possible global warming crisis some time in the distant future, shouldn't we instead focus on first cleaning up the filthy air we are forced to breathe?

1 hour ago, Krataiboy said:

we are forced to breathe?

Who forced you to breathe the dirty thai air?

10 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The top official at the Public Health Ministry and ministry administrators held a video conference with physicians in provincial public health centres nationwide to be prepared and monitor the health impact of PM2.5 dust particles, which usually increase in December every year.

Of course the particles increases. Reason; they don't do anything about it, part from conferences.  Pathetic!

2 hours ago, Isaan sailor said:

Don’t wait for the government to proclaim unhealthy air.  Buy yourself a home PM2.5 monitor.  Then you can take action based on your own tolerance level of PM2.5 air pollution.  On days with readings over 40–we spend more time in a sealed air conditioned room. Paradoxically, that could also include taking a ride in an air conditioned vehicle. And when it worsens—we head for the beach.

Let me add that a HEPA air circulator is also highly recommended for reduction of PM 2.5 in a closed room.

3 hours ago, Isaan sailor said:

Don’t wait for the government to proclaim unhealthy air.  Buy yourself a home PM2.5 monitor.  Then you can take action based on your own tolerance level of PM2.5 air pollution.  On days with readings over 40–we spend more time in a sealed air conditioned room. Paradoxically, that could also include taking a ride in an air conditioned vehicle. And when it worsens—we head for the beach.

Unless you live in the south then you probably spend most of the time indoor or at the beach! 

I thought that machine at Central World would take care of it.... 

11 hours ago, YetAnother said:

excellent example of problem-solving in thailand; doctors don't deal with the particle 2.5 problem, they deal with patients; government is the only entity that can deal with the pm 2.5 issue ; please,let's just keep shifting the responsibility to others

 

Indeed, they're NOT talking about doing anything to tackle the problem!

 

They're talking about how to tackle the results of the problem, after they've allowed it to occur once again, and have done little to nothing over the past two years to prevent it.