Bangkok, Smog And Kids?

[seldred]

hi,

we may be moving to bangkok for a couple of years with our kids, who will be approx 5 and 2 when we move. i'm very concerned about the air quality, and its effects on their health.

i'm wondering how others have dealt with this -- do you stay mostly inside? not worry about it?

i'm also wondering if there are any suburbs in the foothills where air would be better, and there would still be some amenities (internet, schools, etc).

ANY advice/suggestions/experiences would be much appreciated.

thanks!!

[londonthai]

staying inside doesn't solve the problem of pollution - air conditioners do spread spread mictrobes and contribute to ill health.

there are no foothills near bangkok.

internet you can get anywhere - satelite or through mobile phone. There are many schools in Bangkok - not all of them on the sukumvit

[MrSquigle]

We have 2 kids, same age, 5 and 2.

As said, no foothills in or close to bangkok.

To be honest, there is no detrimental effects to my kids that are noticable at least for now.

I hope there is none in the future, although we are planning to move to some foothills soon, just not near bangkok suburbs.

The kids do not get coughs or anything like that. My daughter had been told she may have asthma, but this could be a couple of things, one my dad had it, so it can be passed on in genes, but also we put her on the inhaler for a few weeks and the problem basically went away. Could be she was just allergic to something, could be she has it mildly or not at all, not sure till older or 'real' asthma symptoms set in.

Pointless coming to thailand and bangkok if you are going to stay indoors, just enjoy as normal and you will be fine, millions do, but yes there is significant pollution, so if your kids already have any problems, then these may be made worse.

[Thaiboxer]

Having majored in Environmental Studies, the pollution issues we face in BKK have always been interesting to me. As for air pollution, it's not bad in the outer suburbs, although it's not as good as being in the boonies. If you're going to be staying downtown in an apartment or condo, here are a couple suggestions to minimize your exposure to air pollutants at home: Go for a high floor (the higher, the better as most of the nasty things in our air are concentrated near the street) provided that it's not too high in terms of easy escape in case of a fire. Also, you should consider selecting a place that is some distance away from main thoroughfares, as that will also keep you away from where most of the pollutants are concentrated.

Air purifiers are all the rage with many BKK folks who are concerned about air pollution. They can be purchased in many sizes/configurations from major department stores. You simply plug them in and they run continuously using special filters which need to be replaced periodically as in a car. How much they will improve indoor air quality percentage wise, I'm not sure, but I can say from experience that they do help if you purchase the right unit.

Here is the link to the Pollution Control Dept here in BKK is I remember it: www.pcd.go.th

Most of the info is in Thai, but they do have some English info, and one of the webpages has air quality index charts detailing the concentration of certain pollutants in different areas of BKK. Places like "Din Daeng" and "Prathunam" are notoriously bad areas for example. Hope this helps!

Edited November 29, 2007 by Thaiboxer

[think_too_mut]

Bangkok has a fresh mountain air compared to Hong Kong.

I would not worry at all - unless I am a street vendor or traffic policeman exposed directly to the fumes.

[exexpat]

First of all, realize what you are doing. You are bringing children into a developing country. I can't say for sure about Bangkok's air, because they don't publish data on the medically problematic pollution, PM2.5. Some sources of data (PCD) published on PM10 and other pollutants (NOX, SO2, ozone) seems to be no worse than large North American cities, while other reports (other agencies) show its still far worse. Reliability of data is an issue, and data varies from place to place. The other pollution may induce asthma, irritation or clogging of airways, but they can be flushed, and bronchii have ability to regenerate. However, with PM2.5, it just the right size that neither the nose nor lungs can filter it out, and it goes straight to vulnerable places, causes irreparable damage by collapsing the microscopic alveoli of the lungs. A person is born with all the alveoli they will ever have, so this leads to permanent decrease in lung capacity. Nothing any doctor can do.

Typically, what Thaiboxer says about pollution is right, except for PM2.5 It is so small, it can float about anywhere, even a mile up. Isolating PM2.5 by living up high may be a bad idea, as the body may not react by clogging up the nasal passages as easily, allowing PM2.5 in easier. Trees do amazingly filter this stuff out somewhat.

Air pollution is the tip of the iceberg for medical issues. If you want the best for your children, don't bring them to impoverished countries. Like other developing nations, there are HUNDREDS of health issues in Thailand that need to be addressed, from arsenic in filtered water to TB to rats and cockroaches to clean food, not to mention a zillion safety issues. Not suprising that government can't or hasn't tackled problems here, it follows from the level of disorganization and corruption, and lack of money. Keep in mind there are far worse places, but also far better places. Sheltering them in a house won't save them from most of it.

Most people are naive about health issues. But then again, most people aren't in the medical profession.

Edited December 3, 2007 by exexpat

[exexpat]

Read this if you want to know more.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particulate#Health_effects

Edited December 3, 2007 by exexpat

[think_too_mut]

Most people are naive about health issues. But then again, most people aren't in the medical profession.

That made your post useless.

[seldred]

Thank you, everyone.

I know it is much better than HK, but that comparison doesn't help my particular situation much, since our options are to stay in Minneapolis, with very clean air, etc, or go to Bangkok. It's so hard to weigh health vs. all the benefits of the cultural experience! But I guess that's what we have to do.

Again, thank you -- these posts and links are VERY helpful.

[londonthai]

for me it would be not a matter of 'if' but 'where'.

the older the kids the smaller chances you will be able to move around that easily

[madjbs]

First of all, realize what you are doing. You are bringing children into a developing country. I can't say for sure about Bangkok's air, because they don't publish data on the medically problematic pollution, PM2.5. Some sources of data (PCD) published on PM10 and other pollutants (NOX, SO2, ozone) seems to be no worse than large North American cities, while other reports (other agencies) show its still far worse. Reliability of data is an issue, and data varies from place to place. The other pollution may induce asthma, irritation or clogging of airways, but they can be flushed, and bronchii have ability to regenerate. However, with PM2.5, it just the right size that neither the nose nor lungs can filter it out, and it goes straight to vulnerable places, causes irreparable damage by collapsing the microscopic alveoli of the lungs. A person is born with all the alveoli they will ever have, so this leads to permanent decrease in lung capacity. Nothing any doctor can do.

Typically, what Thaiboxer says about pollution is right, except for PM2.5 It is so small, it can float about anywhere, even a mile up. Isolating PM2.5 by living up high may be a bad idea, as the body may not react by clogging up the nasal passages as easily, allowing PM2.5 in easier. Trees do amazingly filter this stuff out somewhat.

Air pollution is the tip of the iceberg for medical issues. If you want the best for your children, don't bring them to impoverished countries. Like other developing nations, there are HUNDREDS of health issues in Thailand that need to be addressed, from arsenic in filtered water to TB to rats and cockroaches to clean food, not to mention a zillion safety issues. Not suprising that government can't or hasn't tackled problems here, it follows from the level of disorganization and corruption, and lack of money. Keep in mind there are far worse places, but also far better places. Sheltering them in a house won't save them from most of it.

Most people are naive about health issues. But then again, most people aren't in the medical profession.

Get real, this is way over the top. Better to stay in a cotton wool ball dont you think?

To the O.P, I think your worrying too much, I doubt you would see any difference health wise, there is plenty of healthy old people and kids in Bangkok you know!

Edited December 3, 2007 by madjbs

[seldred]

londonthai,

do you mean where in bangkok?

thanks.

[londonthai]

west of the river or any Bangkok neighbouring provinces - away from concrete and tormac. There are still working fruit gardens and orchards