Toxic Dust Alert: Air Quality in Thailand Reaches Hazardous Levels

[webfact]

File photo for reference only

 

Dangerous levels of smog have engulfed Thailand's North, Northeast, and parts of the Central and Eastern regions, causing air quality alarms to ring across the country.

 

The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) revealed staggering figures on Thursday morning, with some areas experiencing perilous concentrations of PM2.5 particles.

 

Over the last 24 hours, a blanket of hazardous smog has smothered 19 provinces, leaving residents desperate for relief. Mae Hong Son has been worst hit, peaking at 122.5µg/m³ of PM2.5, starkly exceeding the 37.5µg/m³ safety limit.

 

Following closely are provinces such as Phayao, Nan, and Trat, marking a critical public health challenge that demands urgent attention.

 

 

 

Some 36 provinces are feeling the effects of elevated PM2.5 levels from 37.7 to 73.7µg/m³, a situation flagged as concerning and starting to affect public health. Notable among them are Kanchanaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima, which are now experiencing smog-related health worries.

 

Meanwhile, Bangkok and 16 other provinces are faring slightly better, yet remain within a moderate range of 25.3 to 37.5µg/m³ of PM2.5.

 

On the brighter side, the southern provinces, including Narathiwat and Phatthalung, are enjoying comparatively good air quality. However, the toxic haze still poses a plight requiring immediate intervention to safeguard the health of millions.

 

Addressing this smog menace is vital, as the impact of these dust particles on health could escalate, affecting both the very young and the elderly. 

 

Based on a story by Bangkok Post
 

-- 2025-03-27

 

 

[Andre0720]

Oh well.

On the positive side,

'Tobacco smoking just got rated a few points less dangerous on the scale of hazards to lungs....'

[Celsius]

it's okay.... Once biblical floods sweep through Bangkok, the pollution will be washed away.

[hotsun]

Not seeing the blue sky takes an effect on mental health, as well

[KireB]

1 minute ago, hotsun said:

Not seeing the blue sky takes an effect on mental health, as well

Good that you are honest about that

[grain]

I'm in rural Korat (Pak Thong Chai) went for a morning walk today and the air is terrible, so dusty and hazy, we really need some heavy rain to clean the place up. The air irritated my sinuses this morning and brought on a lengthy sneezing attack, really horrible. Now I'm inside and will stay so for the remainder of the day.

[watchcat]

41 minutes ago, grain said:

we really need some heavy rain to clean the place up.

 

Unfortunately the effect will only last until it stops raining then back to square one.

[lordgrinz]

"Reaches"? It's been in hazardous levels for a while now.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Dangerous levels of smog have engulfed Thailand's North, Northeast, and parts of the Central and Eastern regions, causing air quality alarms to ring across the country.

I thought Paetongtarn had ordered it to stop... or was that the floods ?

[thecyclist]

25 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I thought Paetongtarn had ordered it to stop... or was that the floods ?

No, that was going after her dad. 

[BoganInParasite]

Unpleasant this week in upper Nan province. Had a slight chuckle yesterday when the weather app said visibility in my area was 13 klms as I stared at where the mountain only 4 klms away should be. In fact the valley ridge only 2 klms away was quite faint. Very much the indoor period of the year now.

[1happykamper]

It's very very bad even on the beach in Hua Hin! 

[PETERTHEEATER]

44 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I thought Paetongtarn had ordered it to stop... or was that the floods ?

If Daddy agrees to loan her the throne she will get it set up and occupied. She has the pre-printed list of Commands ready to go.

[hotchilli]

48 minutes ago, thecyclist said:

No, that was going after her dad. 

Ahhhh... 

[hotchilli]

30 minutes ago, 1happykamper said:

It's very very bad even on the beach in Hua Hin! 

Just seen on the news Cha-am has an issue with algae turning the water green... 

[newbee2022]

We read these headlines every year, at least the last decade.

I wonder if or when the authority will act and do something substantial to improve the situation.

I don't mean to hand out masks.

E.g in Beijing it's forbidden to have open fires as the food stalls use.

One first step.

Or to throw all those old black smoke buses and trucks to the bin. At least give the a deadline (next 2 years).

And.....promote solar energy as preferred source of energy.❗

[Yagoda]

Its been horrible here in Siem Reap.

 

They burn all over the place near Poipet and they are burning all the way in to BKK

[crazykopite]

And they hope to hold F1 motor racing in 2028 Amazing Thailand !

[vincent13]

Worst I have ever seen it in 15 years in Sakon Nakhon - Udon Thani provinces.

[HuaHinNew]

PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. The concentration of PM2.5 is measured in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³).

Understanding the Given PM2.5 Range (37.7 to 73.7 µg/m³)

This range falls under "Unhealthy" to "Very Unhealthy" categories based on major air quality indices like the US AQI (Air Quality Index) and WHO guidelines.

Breakdown of PM2.5 Levels:

1. 37.7 µg/m³

   • Category: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (US AQI ~105)

   • Health Effects:

     • Irritation in eyes, nose, and throat

     • Increased risk for people with asthma, heart disease, or respiratory conditions

     • Possible worsening of existing lung conditions

2. 73.7 µg/m³

   • Category: Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy (US AQI ~160-180)

   • Health Effects:

     • Breathing discomfort for everyone, not just sensitive groups

     • Increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases

     • Reduced lung function, especially in children and elderly

     • Prolonged exposure may lead to chronic bronchitis or aggravated asthma

Comparison with WHO Guidelines (2021 Update)

• WHO Annual Safe Limit: 5 µg/m³

• WHO 24-hour Safe Limit: 15 µg/m³

Your reported levels (37.7–73.7 µg/m³) are 2.5 to 5 times higher than the WHO’s 24-hour limit, indicating significant health risks.

Possible Sources of Such High PM2.5 Levels

• Vehicular emissions (diesel engines, traffic congestion)

• Industrial pollution (factories, power plants)

• Biomass burning (forest fires, agricultural burning)

• Construction & road dust

• Household sources (cooking with coal/wood, smoking indoors)

Recommended Actions

1. For Sensitive Groups (Children, Elderly, Asthma/Heart Patients):

   • Avoid outdoor activities

   • Use N95 masks if going outside

   • Keep windows closed and use air purifiers

2. For General Public:

   • Limit prolonged outdoor exertion

   • Monitor real-time air quality via apps like AirVisual or AQI India

   • Advocate for pollution control policies (stricter emissions norms, green energy)

Long-Term Risks of Exposure

• Increased risk of lung cancer (IARC classifies PM2.5 as a Group 1 carcinogen)

• Higher chances of stroke & heart attacks (PM2.5 causes inflammation in blood vessels)

• Reduced life expectancy (studies show a correlation with early mortality)

Conclusion

PM2.5 levels between 37.7–73.7 µg/m³ are hazardous and require immediate precautions, especially for vulnerable groups. Reducing exposure and supporting cleaner air policies are essential for long-term health protection.