Air Pollution Spurs Lung Cancer Spike in Northern Thailand

[webfact]

BANGKOK (NNT) - Northern Thailand is confronting a critical public health issue, with Chiang Mai and Lampang provinces experiencing alarmingly high mortality rates from lung cancer linked to the pervasive presence of PM2.5 particles in the air.

 

According to Assoc Prof Chalerm Liewsisakul of Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Medicine, the last decade has seen a notable deterioration in air quality in the region, correlating with an increase in lung disease cases.

 

Studies indicate a rapid rise in lung cancer deaths in the North, from 20.3 per 100,000 people in 2010 to 30.7 in 2019. This worrying trend highlights the critical need for immediate action to tackle air pollution and its detrimental health effects, particularly in Chiang Mai and Lampang. The data further reveals a higher incidence of lung cancer among the youth in these areas, suggesting a direct link to prolonged exposure to PM2.5 particles.

 

Research focusing on emphysema patients in Chiang Dao, a locality known for high PM2.5 levels, shows that exposure leads to cellular changes, hinting at the potential for genetic mutations and cancer development. The adverse health impacts of PM2.5 pollution are further evidenced by a spike in respiratory problems, with serious conditions like emphysema, coronary heart disease, and strokes becoming more common during high pollution periods.

 

An analysis by the Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University also found a direct correlation between PM2.5 levels and mortality rates, with a 1.6% increase in deaths for every ten micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m³) rise in PM2.5. The faculty also confirmed the death of Prof Rawiwan Olarnratmanee, attributing her lung cancer to PM2.5 exposure. 

 

Meanwhile, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital reported that over 30,000 patients sought treatment for pollution-related illnesses early this year, doubling last year's figures.

 

by Krajangwit Johjit

 

Source: NNT 2024-04-08

 

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[Gknrd]

Undoubtedly the most mineral place I have ever lived bar none. 

[Geoffggi]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Studies indicate a rapid rise in lung cancer deaths in the North, from 20.3 per 100,000 people in 2010 to 30.7 in 2019. This worrying trend highlights the critical need for immediate action to tackle air pollution and its detrimental health effects, particularly in Chiang Mai and Lampang. The data further reveals a higher incidence of lung cancer among the youth in these areas, suggesting a direct link to prolonged exposure to PM2.5 particles.

Yet the government still want people to go there in order to boost income for locals ........????

[Gottfrid]

And still there are stupid foreigners want to live there. Welcome to Cancer City!

[happysoul]

I've been living in Chiang Dao for 11 years. Made a move last month for the kids. Some years were ok, some horrible. 2016 when our daughter was born, was one of the horrible. It didn't rain a single drop from December (2015) to June. Normally the smoke problem goes away with the rain, so if it rains every month it's not that bad (equals or even better than CM city if you can call that not that bad).

 

What I would like to see is a study of impact of fertilizers and other chemicals widely used in longan orchards and corn fields. But that's another wide topic and not the one here.

 

It's really sad for the place as it's really nice outside of these smoking months. Nature is "still" preserved and the mountains are beautiful. Lot's of birds, wild orchid and insects. I've seen a lot of weird things I had never seen before even having spend some time in Amazonia. And the cold season that was always welcomed. How nice to sleep under a blanket at 15°C !

 

We will go back for the Christmas holidays to get that cold feeling ! 

 

34 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

And still there are stupid foreigners want to live there. Welcome to Cancer City!

May I ask you : do you smoke ? do you drink ? 😉

[Artisi]

59 minutes ago, happysoul said:

I've been living in Chiang Dao for 11 years. Made a move last month for the kids. Some years were ok, some horrible. 2016 when our daughter was born, was one of the horrible. It didn't rain a single drop from December (2015) to June. Normally the smoke problem goes away with the rain, so if it rains every month it's not that bad (equals or even better than CM city if you can call that not that bad).

 

What I would like to see is a study of impact of fertilizers and other chemicals widely used in longan orchards and corn fields. But that's another wide topic and not the one here.

 

It's really sad for the place as it's really nice outside of these smoking months. Nature is "still" preserved and the mountains are beautiful. Lot's of birds, wild orchid and insects. I've seen a lot of weird things I had never seen before even having spend some time in Amazonia. And the cold season that was always welcomed. How nice to sleep under a blanket at 15°C !

 

We will go back for the Christmas holidays to get that cold feeling ! 

 

May I ask you : do you smoke ? do you drink ? 😉

It doesn't matter what he drinks or smokes, the comment is valid, why would you live where the rate of lung cancer deaths etc are rising at a record rate due to pollution. 

[charleskerins]

1 hour ago, Artisi said:

It doesn't matter what he drinks or smokes, the comment is valid, why would you live where the rate of lung cancer deaths etc are rising at a record rate due to pollution. 

it s very easy to move for people they have no connections roots or jobs.

[spidermike007]

Air pollution causes countless diseases and wreaks havoc on the body. This essentially means that Sretta and this callous and  useless administration has essentially chosen cancer and disease over the people. They have chosen Big Agra over law and order.

 

And they have demonstrated very vividly and very clearly the level of moral bankruptcy within the leadership of this nation. 

[Snig27]

And still silence from this useless Junta appointed government. The companies that instruct the farmers to burn are literally too close to the power structure to be threatened. People die as a result and nobody in the cabinet or govt cares. Only "good people" matter in Thailand.

[Deez]

Well, Duh!!

[Will B Good]

Presumably these lung cancers are in people who have been exposed to poor AQ for some decades......imagine the situation in...say...another 10 years.....AQ worse, population increasing, age profile getting older.....BUT....will this be of any concern to Baloo, Taksin et al.?....nope!

[catch104]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

BANGKOK (NNT) - Northern Thailand is confronting a critical public health issue, with Chiang Mai and Lampang provinces experiencing alarmingly high mortality rates from lung cancer linked to the pervasive presence of PM2.5 particles in the air.

 

According to Assoc Prof Chalerm Liewsisakul of Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Medicine, the last decade has seen a notable deterioration in air quality in the region, correlating with an increase in lung disease cases.

 

Studies indicate a rapid rise in lung cancer deaths in the North, from 20.3 per 100,000 people in 2010 to 30.7 in 2019. This worrying trend highlights the critical need for immediate action to tackle air pollution and its detrimental health effects, particularly in Chiang Mai and Lampang. The data further reveals a higher incidence of lung cancer among the youth in these areas, suggesting a direct link to prolonged exposure to PM2.5 particles.

 

Research focusing on emphysema patients in Chiang Dao, a locality known for high PM2.5 levels, shows that exposure leads to cellular changes, hinting at the potential for genetic mutations and cancer development. The adverse health impacts of PM2.5 pollution are further evidenced by a spike in respiratory problems, with serious conditions like emphysema, coronary heart disease, and strokes becoming more common during high pollution periods.

 

An analysis by the Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University also found a direct correlation between PM2.5 levels and mortality rates, with a 1.6% increase in deaths for every ten micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m³) rise in PM2.5. The faculty also confirmed the death of Prof Rawiwan Olarnratmanee, attributing her lung cancer to PM2.5 exposure. 

 

Meanwhile, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital reported that over 30,000 patients sought treatment for pollution-related illnesses early this year, doubling last year's figures.

 

by Krajangwit Johjit

 

Source: NNT 2024-04-08

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe
 

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

BANGKOK (NNT) - Northern Thailand is confronting a critical public health issue, with Chiang Mai and Lampang provinces experiencing alarmingly high mortality rates from lung cancer linked to the pervasive presence of PM2.5 particles in the air.

 

According to Assoc Prof Chalerm Liewsisakul of Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Medicine, the last decade has seen a notable deterioration in air quality in the region, correlating with an increase in lung disease cases.

 

Studies indicate a rapid rise in lung cancer deaths in the North, from 20.3 per 100,000 people in 2010 to 30.7 in 2019. This worrying trend highlights the critical need for immediate action to tackle air pollution and its detrimental health effects, particularly in Chiang Mai and Lampang. The data further reveals a higher incidence of lung cancer among the youth in these areas, suggesting a direct link to prolonged exposure to PM2.5 particles.

 

Research focusing on emphysema patients in Chiang Dao, a locality known for high PM2.5 levels, shows that exposure leads to cellular changes, hinting at the potential for genetic mutations and cancer development. The adverse health impacts of PM2.5 pollution are further evidenced by a spike in respiratory problems, with serious conditions like emphysema, coronary heart disease, and strokes becoming more common during high pollution periods.

 

An analysis by the Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University also found a direct correlation between PM2.5 levels and mortality rates, with a 1.6% increase in deaths for every ten micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m³) rise in PM2.5. The faculty also confirmed the death of Prof Rawiwan Olarnratmanee, attributing her lung cancer to PM2.5 exposure. 

 

Meanwhile, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital reported that over 30,000 patients sought treatment for pollution-related illnesses early this year, doubling last year's figures.

 

by Krajangwit Johjit

 

Source: NNT 2024-04-08

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe
 

And

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

BANGKOK (NNT) - Northern Thailand is confronting a critical public health issue, with Chiang Mai and Lampang provinces experiencing alarmingly high mortality rates from lung cancer linked to the pervasive presence of PM2.5 particles in the air.

 

According to Assoc Prof Chalerm Liewsisakul of Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Medicine, the last decade has seen a notable deterioration in air quality in the region, correlating with an increase in lung disease cases.

 

Studies indicate a rapid rise in lung cancer deaths in the North, from 20.3 per 100,000 people in 2010 to 30.7 in 2019. This worrying trend highlights the critical need for immediate action to tackle air pollution and its detrimental health effects, particularly in Chiang Mai and Lampang. The data further reveals a higher incidence of lung cancer among the youth in these areas, suggesting a direct link to prolonged exposure to PM2.5 particles.

 

Research focusing on emphysema patients in Chiang Dao, a locality known for high PM2.5 levels, shows that exposure leads to cellular changes, hinting at the potential for genetic mutations and cancer development. The adverse health impacts of PM2.5 pollution are further evidenced by a spike in respiratory problems, with serious conditions like emphysema, coronary heart disease, and strokes becoming more common during high pollution periods.

 

An analysis by the Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University also found a direct correlation between PM2.5 levels and mortality rates, with a 1.6% increase in deaths for every ten micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m³) rise in PM2.5. The faculty also confirmed the death of Prof Rawiwan Olarnratmanee, attributing her lung cancer to PM2.5 exposure. 

 

Meanwhile, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital reported that over 30,000 patients sought treatment for pollution-related illnesses early this year, doubling last year's figures.

 

by Krajangwit Johjit

 

Source: NNT 2024-04-08

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe
 

 

3 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

And still there are stupid foreigners want to live there. Welcome to Cancer City!

Maybe a though for the locals????

 

 

[Presnock]

3 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

And still there are stupid foreigners want to live there. Welcome to Cancer City!

not sure where you live but I have checked the 2.5 levels in my part of BKK over the last 8 months and the number of days it is within the WHO level of safe can be counted on one hand.  I walk 6 km every day, wearing an n95 mask (google if you don't think they are safe and read the test results) and I seldom see others walking/jogging wearing a mask and some ask me why I am wearing a mask - their response when I tell them the 2.5 micron level they reply but this is outside!  Pollution and capital cities is not a new phenomona  - I have lived in many and doctors always told be if I was to exercise outside then I should wear an n95 mask!

[Tarteso]

Bye bye Chiang Mai forever.

[wensiensheng]

“According to Assoc Prof Chalerm Liewsisakul of Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Medicine, the last decade has seen a notable deterioration in air quality in the region, correlating with an increase in lung disease cases.”

 

ya think?

 

[wensiensheng]

3 minutes ago, Presnock said:

not sure where you live but I have checked the 2.5 levels in my part of BKK over the last 8 months and the number of days it is within the WHO level of safe can be counted on one hand.  I walk 6 km every day, wearing an n95 mask (google if you don't think they are safe and read the test results) and I seldom see others walking/jogging wearing a mask and some ask me why I am wearing a mask - their response when I tell them the 2.5 micron level they reply but this is outside!  Pollution and capital cities is not a new phenomona  - I have lived in many and doctors always told be if I was to exercise outside then I should wear an n95 mask!

Is it fun?

 

maybe choose somewhere with better air quality

[wensiensheng]

2 hours ago, happysoul said:

I've been living in Chiang Dao for 11 years. Made a move last month for the kids. Some years were ok, some horrible. 2016 when our daughter was born, was one of the horrible. It didn't rain a single drop from December (2015) to June. Normally the smoke problem goes away with the rain, so if it rains every month it's not that bad (equals or even better than CM city if you can call that not that bad).

 

What I would like to see is a study of impact of fertilizers and other chemicals widely used in longan orchards and corn fields. But that's another wide topic and not the one here.

 

It's really sad for the place as it's really nice outside of these smoking months. Nature is "still" preserved and the mountains are beautiful. Lot's of birds, wild orchid and insects. I've seen a lot of weird things I had never seen before even having spend some time in Amazonia. And the cold season that was always welcomed. How nice to sleep under a blanket at 15°C !

 

We will go back for the Christmas holidays to get that cold feeling ! 

 

May I ask you : do you smoke ? do you drink ? 😉

Any other irrelevant questions you want to ask?

[Presnock]

We are supposedly to try to understand why anyone would want to live in a polluted city...yet I suggest everyone google air quality Thailand.  One will see that the average for all of 2023 was 4.7 times the WHO safe air chart.  Today's air quality report which covers ove 400 Thai sites list cities throughout the country at many times the healthy level of pollution.  Even the coastal cities near large bodies of water are polluted too.  Just because you don't see it nor smell it, doesn't mean it is not there - I guess that is why so  many hundreds of thousands yearly in Thailand have to be treated for pollution caused illnesses.  About time for those with their heads buried in the sand or elsewhere to yank them out and realize they can't smell the roses.  My opinion about these naysayers.

[Bobthegimp]

2 hours ago, happysoul said:

I've been living in Chiang Dao for 11 years. Made a move last month for the kids. Some years were ok, some horrible. 2016 when our daughter was born, was one of the horrible. It didn't rain a single drop from December (2015) to June. Normally the smoke problem goes away with the rain, so if it rains every month it's not that bad (equals or even better than CM city if you can call that not that bad).

 

What I would like to see is a study of impact of fertilizers and other chemicals widely used in longan orchards and corn fields. But that's another wide topic and not the one here.

 

It's really sad for the place as it's really nice outside of these smoking months. Nature is "still" preserved and the mountains are beautiful. Lot's of birds, wild orchid and insects. I've seen a lot of weird things I had never seen before even having spend some time in Amazonia. And the cold season that was always welcomed. How nice to sleep under a blanket at 15°C !

 

We will go back for the Christmas holidays to get that cold feeling ! 

 

 

 

That was very well said. Thanks for giving a realistic perspective.  

[Presnock]

I choose to live in Thailand knowing well (been living here off and on for 50 years, pollution in the burning season has been around all of those 50 but spreads just about every growing season as farmers need more money to eat rice or whatever.  Big business when they went to ethanol and needed corn for the mixture in fuels, sugar cane burning is getting bigger as they can get more money and the health issues - we were told on this forum in the news media that the pm wouldn't call CM an emergency site (so that they could get additional funds to fight the fires and pollution) because it might scare tourists away.  

[soalbundy]

2 minutes ago, Presnock said:

We are supposedly to try to understand why anyone would want to live in a polluted city...yet I suggest everyone google air quality Thailand.  One will see that the average for all of 2023 was 4.7 times the WHO safe air chart.  Today's air quality report which covers ove 400 Thai sites list cities throughout the country at many times the healthy level of pollution.  Even the coastal cities near large bodies of water are polluted too.  Just because you don't see it nor smell it, doesn't mean it is not there - I guess that is why so  many hundreds of thousands yearly in Thailand have to be treated for pollution caused illnesses.  About time for those with their heads buried in the sand or elsewhere to yank them out and realize they can't smell the roses.  My opinion about these naysayers.

Almost as bad as living in London perhaps, my brother who now lives in Australia flew to London on business, he said you could smell the air it was so dirty.

[Presnock]

Continued:  I could afford to live in the US in an unpolluted area but then I would have to put up with the bad weather that goes with the good weather and COLD!  I had actually planned to go back with my daughter (with scholarships, etc) but due to visa problems, she decided she wanted to go to college here...liberal arts so even better than going back to the states.  So we remain here, we have air puritfiers all over the house and her condo, wear our masks whenever we go out.  I don't smoke nor booze as I do care for my health.  Even the pollution doesn't get me down as I take precautions and I am 77 and can still do everything that I want.  I don't get sick, had COVID with a 2-day sore throat only, no colds nor lung problems and haven't even had a headache in over 25 years.  Thailand provides a super variety of healthy foods, fruits, nuts and vegetables.  And on top of that all of that cheaper than the US and most other places.

[Marco51]

3 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

And still there are stupid foreigners want to live there. Welcome to Cancer City!

There are "stupid" farang who have lived and worked there for decades and have no choice unless they give up all they have invested here and go back to the street in Europe.....all for the greed and incompetence of an unelected government and a handful of unusually rich .....

[Presnock]

for soalbundy - yeah, google Australia and you will see a basically clean country - yeah one or to spots if you zoom in on them might jolt you but the majority of the cities are pretty green!  That would be why if an Aussie went to just about any capital city in the world there might be the smell of pollution!  The S. Asian mainland and islands in SEA are world famous for their burning seasons and therein lies the biggest drawback for any of the member countries to stop pollution.  None will kill the goose laying gold eggs until there aren't enough people left.  Negative birth rates, early deaths, unhealthy workers...the end seems to be approaching quicker rather than fixing things.

[john donson]

did people not die during covid lockdown from lung cancer ?

did they stop burning during covid ?

[Presnock]

For Marco51 - that is true - pollution though is not just a problem for CM but for any cities around the world.  Looking at the satellite picking up open fires, one can see that S.Asia is peppered with open fires.  It is the burning season even at other times than here in Thailand. One would have to find another country if one wanted to escape the pollution here but would probably run into other problems including pollution elsewhere.  There is no EDEN left in this world.  It is either too cold, too hot, too wet, too windy, tornadoes, hail even as big as a soccer ball but regularly bigger than a tennis ball, too snowy, volcanoes erupting, strong earthquakes, tsunamis, whatever, or corrupt governments and autocratic rulers.  Maybe if all the immigrant folks went to China, Iran, Russia, N. Korea, Syria, Afghanistan, et al there might be something better though I do doubt that.

[Presnock]

2 minutes ago, john donson said:

did people not die during covid lockdown from lung cancer ?

did they stop burning during covid ?

Among many respiratory diseases yes and the burning continued through the pandemic years too.  I am fairly sure that during the world wars the farmers continued to clear their fields by burning.  I was in CM during COVID and yeah, I exercised outside with a mask but during that period, no one said anything about it as just about everyone wore a mask in those days.

[CygnusX1]

If you look at lung cancer deaths on websites with stats on life expectancy, Thailand does surprisingly well, with lung cancer deaths per 100,000 about the same as Australia and New Zealand. I find that very surprising, considering the vastly cleaner air in those countries, and with levels of smoking I would have thought are lower than Thailand’s.

There are also quite a few countries with overall death rates greater than 30.7 per 100,000, maybe due to high rates of smoking.

[rudi49jr]

More than 20 years of heavy air pollution 4-6 months every year, and people actually get sick from that? Gee, what a shocker. Anyone want to bet the Thai authorities are going to spring into action immediately now? I’m not holding my breath.

[KhunLA]

30 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

Almost as bad as living in London perhaps, my brother who now lives in Australia flew to London on business, he said you could smell the air it was so dirty.

Yea, but could he 'see' the air ... 

@ 27:27 of the vid   He shows PM2.5 meter at 250 ish, @ 27:57 of vid and y'all are breaking 300 & 400 during the day.

 

Time to move, seriously.  You're killing youselves.