Expats How Do You Deal With The Toxic Air Pollution in Thailand?

[Gottfrid]

3 hours ago, Neeranam said:

If you get diagnosed with something like Emphysema, you will give a <deleted>. 

Actually not. I would take it as that is a result of my choices, continue live life to the full, based on possibilities, and stay happy for the time I have left.

Anything else on your mind?

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, 1FinickyOne said:

self inflicted constipation? 

What are you saying? Are you telling me you have toilet problems? Please try the health forum for such problems.

[Neeranam]

8 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

I spend about two thirds of my time at our home in Bangkok and one third at our place in rural Rayong. I have exercised everyday outside for over 40 years. I have never noticed the pollution in Bangkok, and  I am in good health at 83 yearsof age. So far so good...

I lived in Sukhumvit 49 over 20 years ago and the reason I moved was the pollution, especially around Prakanong, where I would take the bus. 

[LarryLEB]

54 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

I read the PM2.5 level that is shown on my air purifier. The level changes, but I don't remember seeing it over 40 when I switch it on.

I used to live in a lower floor, and I am pretty sure the air pollution was higher at that time.

I don't have any high accurate measurement devices. But it seems to me, and my logic tells me, that 100m above ground the air quality is better. How much? I don't know. But enough to notice it.

 

 

 

What floor are you currently living on?  Your figure of 100 meters above ground would normally mean a building of around 25 floors or more.

 

One expert, Dr. Arvind Kumar of the Lung Care Foundation, has said:  "air pollution is generally lower on higher floors in a high-rise building because the major sources of air pollution in large cities (that have high-rise buildings) are vehicular traffic emissions and construction debris. However, higher floors can also be more exposed to outdoor air pollution from other sources, such as industrial areas or open burning."  (The bold font on the word "burning" is mine, not Dr. Kumar's, since burning of crops seems to be a major cause of air pollution in most of Thailand.)

 

We use air purifiers continuously during the several months of bad air here in Pattaya.  We are on the 16th floor.  On the Xiaomi purifier next to my desk, the PM 2.5 reading right now is 1, while outside the current reading is 34.4  µg/m³(according to IQAir at 13:30, January 20).   In the past, the air purifier filters lasted about 12 or 13 months, but recently, we have had to change them in only 11 months.

 

We turn off the purifiers in the dining/sitting room at night and use purifiers in our bedrooms.  When opening again in the dining/sitting room in the morning, the PM2.5 reading has shown as high as 24 when we first open the 2 purifiers there.  (Note that sometimes during cooking, the reading can be much higher than that -- say 50 or over for a few minutes.)

 

As others have stated on this site, we are very happy with the performance of our Xiaomi purifiers.

 

[Neeranam]

8 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Actually not. I would take it as that is a result of my choices, continue live life to the full, based on possibilities, and stay happy for the time I have left.

Anything else on your mind?

Just a tip, to get the attention you seem to need, go to the Gardening Forum and tell them that you like living in a condo, or perhaps the Golf forum and tell them it's a waste of a good walk.   🍆

[KhunLA]

38 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Where can you buy these air purifiers with the meter on them and how much are they, I can't seem to find any on google. 

 

6 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Don't need an Air Humidifier, as RH is 60-80% in cool/dry season.  Dehumidifier would be more like it, though don't think it helps with smog.

 

I'm a Xiaomi fan, and we have 2, and also gave another to my daughter for her condo.

 

Xiaomi flagship store on LAZ ...

https://www.lazada.co.th/xiaomi/?q=AIR PURIFIER&from=wangpu&langFlag=en&pageTypeId=2&spm=a2o4m.10453683.searchbar.0

 

[Gottfrid]

14 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Just a tip, to get the attention you seem to need, go to the Gardening Forum and tell them that you like living in a condo, or perhaps the Golf forum and tell them it's a waste of a good walk.   🍆

Ok, so just because I don´t agree with you, you need to post ridiculous ideas?

[Gottfrid]

25 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

I lived in Sukhumvit 49 over 20 years ago and the reason I moved was the pollution, especially around Prakanong, where I would take the bus. 

Why in the world did you put yourself in the middle of the smog? That´s pure stupidity.

[Presnock]

19 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

High floor condominium - up here the pollution is not half as bad as on street level.

ACs with filters.

Air purifier in the bedroom.

 

Personally, I only had a problem with the bad air when I want to sleep. With better air quality high up and the air purifier that problem is basically solved for me.

I also ride motorcycle in the bad air. But for whatever reason that doesn't really affect me.

 

I think that most people especial westerners think that air pollution doesn't affect them.  they have been proven to be wrong - it doesn't usually happen ovenight/day unless one has breathing problems or mabe heart problems but is a long time coming health issues, just as smokers don't get lung cancer or breating problems early in their smoking days.  One can also wear an n95 or p100 mask which will filter out the 2.5 micron pollutants which are the dangerous of getting into your body.  BTW this AM at 6 AM when I walked the dog, with my 2.5 micron meter Prawe district in BKK began flashing immediately when I turned it on - it begins flasing at the 115 reading and for those unfamiliar with the healthy levels, WHO detemined it to be about 38 microns.  Googling AQI and your location in Thailand or other countries will show you the current reading at that location.  Today's newscasts and other media show that his problem is getting more govt response but until all of south Asia stops polluting then Thailand will continue with high pollution in my opinion.  I wish good health to all.

[newbee2022]

20 hours ago, Mitkof Island said:

Since the government seems totally unwilling to make any effort to clean up the air and garbage pollution.

Even they would it's not easy if you compare the air quality(not only 2.5pm) in neighbouring countries.

Btw, the govt is willing, starting in BKK probably.

[digger70]

Expats How Do You Deal With The Toxic Air Pollution in Thailand? 

 

Frst of all Move to an area that hasn't got the problem/small problem.

Down in the south here  Hat Yai/Songkhla  we don't have a problem. 🙏

[Presnock]

7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

 

 

Major malls stores, home pro, etc all carry Xiaomi of all sizes, there are western brand names too but we find the xiami to work well, we have a house in CM and are right at the moment in BKK and all our rooms have air purifiers but we only use them when we are in those rooms i.e. bedrooms at night, living room, computer rooms etc during daytime.  It takes them a while in the AM to bring the levels down like today when outside is over 120, 60 when I turned on the air purifier at 6.   One can also wear N95 or P100 masks which filter out almost all the pollutants.  

[J Branche]

RECAP

 

Air Pollution effects people differently, some how more difficulty handling increase Air Pollution than others.

 

Monitor

Use and Air Purifier that has a PM detection meter included or by an individual PM detection meter.  I use from Lazada the Sndway SW-825 was 1400 baht 1 year or more ago.  Seems accurate, battery last long time, numbers turn red when at elevated dangerous levels.

 

Filtration - A/C

I use the Mini Split 3M Filter Roll model 9808 or 9809.  Cut to removal filter size, use included stickers to attach, change depending on Pollution levels or Air handler use.

From 2 weeks, to 6 weeks for elevated PM level times.

 

Room Filtration 

Small room size

Smart Air Sqair Air Purifier, seems to be fairly quiet, can reduce levels in 10 minutes, filters are I guess reasonable 500 baht and I change about every 4 or 6 months, Whenever PM Meter level is showing reduction in filtration.

 

I think like others we close up house and windows, filter only rooms we occupy on elevated days.  Maybe exercise when daily levels are lower, maybe like others know how it impacts us and get on with life.

[anyone]

15 minutes ago, digger70 said:

Hat Yai/Songkhla  we don't have a problem. 🙏

But you have worse problems... 💣💣💣

[KhunLA]

3 minutes ago, Presnock said:

Major malls stores, home pro, etc all carry Xiaomi of all sizes, there are western brand names too but we find the xiami to work well, we have a house in CM and are right at the moment in BKK and all our rooms have air purifiers but we only use them when we are in those rooms i.e. bedrooms at night, living room, computer rooms etc during daytime.  It takes them a while in the AM to bring the levels down like today when outside is over 120, 60 when I turned on the air purifier at 6.   One can also wear N95 or P100 masks which filter out almost all the pollutants.  

Ours are on almost 24/7 this time of year.  Only have 2, older models, original & #2.  No display.

 

One in bedroom (23m²), one in main room (83m²), with doors to laundry & storage rooms (25m²)open.  Doors open more for the AC's cooler air to help keep the temp down in those rooms, as a bit lower than main, and keep ebike in there.

 

Bedroom & main room always <5.  Never really measured air in laundry / storage area.  House is very air tight.

[digger70]

2 minutes ago, anyone said:

But you have worse problems... 💣💣💣

Nah you got that Wrong We never had a problem with tha as Yet thats a fair way away from us  therenwas only one as I c an remember in 2012  when they blew up Lee Garden Hotel.

webfact

Admin

 390.3k

Posted March 31, 2012

Urgent: Bomb rocks Hat Yai hotel, over 200 people trapped

HAT YAI, SONGKHLA: -- A bomb exploded inside the Lee Garden Hotel in this southern border town Saturday afternoon.

About 200 guests and hotel staffs were trapped on the fourth floor and rescue workers were rushing to rescue them.

-- The Nation 2012-03-31

[Thailand]

16 hours ago, CMHomeboy78 said:

I'm a graphic artist.

I paint what I see... sometimes in my head, sometimes out of it.

 

Can't find it but it was years ago.

I posted a photo of billboard that had Yingluck saying stop the burning with a fire burning to the right of the billboard.

 

Around San Patong area.

[Hummin]

120 from this morning, and 94 now.  My eyes itching and my throat is sore. Leaving tomorow, but hard to find anywhere with better air quality south, but fresh beach air will help.

 

[PomPolo]

Possibly moving to Greenland or live in Isaan (as long as it's not near a main road!)

[madone]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

I read the PM2.5 level that is shown on my air purifier. The level changes, but I don't remember seeing it over 40 when I switch it on.

I used to live in a lower floor, and I am pretty sure the air pollution was higher at that time.

I don't have any high accurate measurement devices. But it seems to me, and my logic tells me, that 100m above ground the air quality is better. How much? I don't know. But enough to notice it.

 

 

 

 

ok, sure

[Hummin]

6 minutes ago, PomPolo said:

Possibly moving to Greenland or live in Isaan (as long as it's not near a main road!)

I have appartment at the west coast of Norway, but we moving up north of polar circle and buying a farm there.

[PomPolo]

North of the Polar circle should do it, only the bears can kill you there 🤣

[madone]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

I read the PM2.5 level that is shown on my air purifier. The level changes, but I don't remember seeing it over 40 when I switch it on.

I used to live in a lower floor, and I am pretty sure the air pollution was higher at that time.

I don't have any high accurate measurement devices. But it seems to me, and my logic tells me, that 100m above ground the air quality is better. How much? I don't know. But enough to notice it.

 

 

 

But go with your logic.

 

https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/less-pm25-pollution-higher-floors/?srsltid=AfmBOoo3xnZLYZLqJzkP_CUQRBU6CS_LIYW9gBg0kdRyOoA-lfE_k4ra

 

this one states that pn 2.5 actually increases with height 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337793709_Vertical_Variation_of_Carbonaceous_Aerosols_with_in_the_PM25_Fraction_in_Bangkok_Thailand

 

The analysis of data obtained in this study shows that average values of PM2.5 at observation heights of 30 m, 75 m, and 110 m increased slightly with height and were 6.21 ± 2.45, 8.12 ± 3.65, and 9.03 ± 3.93 µg m–3, respectively. OC concentrations at these observation heights were 4.13 ± 2.65, 4.01 ± 4.07, and 4.11 ± 3.58 µg m–3, respectively, and corresponding EC concentrations were 1.02 ± 0.84, 1.07 ± 0.95, and 0.50 ± 0.70 µg m–3. 

 

[Gobbler]

9 hours ago, motdaeng said:

 

you need to buy an air purifier and a pm2.5 meter, not an air humidifier.

 

The water vapor will trap particles, and they will fall to the ground. 

[Hummin]

27 minutes ago, Gobbler said:

 

The water vapor will trap particles, and they will fall to the ground. 

But I would worry about mold

 

However if you have constant temperature, and not warm, cool, warm, you might have less risk of mold

 

 

As we've discussed in this article, while an air purifier and a humidifier both work to create a healthier, cleaner environment, they both perform different functions. An air purifier works on removing airborne pollutants from the home, while a humidifier works on adding moisture to the air. 

 

 

 

https://www.eurovent-certification.com/en/category/article/what-is-the-difference-between-an-air-purifier-and-a-humidifier?universe=air-quality-and-ventilation

[FlorC]

Every year it is hard to deal with the air polution here up north. You can't enjoy the cooler temps , you can't keep windows open and an insulated house does not cool down much. 
I try to manage with 2 hatari's , but the 5 year old one gets louder and louder. You can't grease the motor. The newer one has a PM meter which is as accurate as my hand held PM meter from lazada.

Not happy with the 2 hatari's , so last month I bought the sharp J30 , is was in promo at local makro. It has  plasmacluster technology, so I wanted to try it. But the sharp was even worse than hatari , even at the lowest speed it had an irritating sound. Luckily I could return it to makro. 

If those 2 are so bad , what are the cheap ones on lazada going to be ?
Luckily I can lock myself up during those 4 to 5 months with the purifiers and wear a mask outside , but my cats insist on going outside even in the worst air , and they can't wear masks.
Thailand is taking years off my life with the polution and the worries and frustration.

[Stocky]

2 hours ago, anyone said:

But you have worse problems... 💣💣💣

Rubbish.

I've lived in Hat Yai 20 years and I've not been blown up. There hasn't been a terrorist incident in Hat Yai since May 2014 when 3 pipe bombs went off around the police accommodation blocks. There have been 5 incidents in Hat Yai in total since we moved here; April 2005, September 2006, May 2007, March 2012 and May 2014.

 

Air quality in Hat Yai and Songkhla is generally very good, though we've been getting dirty air blowing down from the north, today the AQI is around 60, moderate.

 

.

[Hummin]

3 minutes ago, Stocky said:

Rubbish.

I've lived in Hat Yai 20 years and I've not been blown up. There hasn't been a terrorist incident in Hat Yai since May 2014 when 3 pipe bombs went off around the police accommodation blocks. There have been 5 incidents in Hat Yai in total since we moved here; April 2005, September 2006, May 2007, March 2012 and May 2014.

 

Air quality in Hat Yai and Songkhla is generally very good, though we've been getting dirty air blowing down from the north, today the AQI is around 60, moderate.

 

.

You get some smoke from Indonesia as well? Read something about it few years ago where the smoke reached Phuket

[Stocky]

Just now, Hummin said:

You get some smoke from Indonesia as well? Read something about it few years ago where the smoke reached Phuket

Yes, August/September we have on occasions caught the smoke from fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, but a lot has been done to reduce that. Normally the 'haze' doesn't reach further than Penang, but on some years it has stretched as far as Hat Yai, though seldom lasts that long. 

[Hummin]

 

 

This doesnt look good at all