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Air Pollution Soars In Phayao And Lamphun


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Air pollution soars in Phayao, Lamphun

Air pollution in Phayao and Lamphun has worsened, with the amount of small particulate matter soaring well above the recognised safe level.

For the sake of people's health, particulate matter with a maximum diameter of 10 microns (PM10) should not exceed 120 micrograms per cubic metre of air.

However, the latest air-quality checks Tuesday showed PM10 had reached 172.1 micrograms in Phayao.

In Lamphun, the situation was even more serious, with PM10 touching 185.5 micrograms.

The Nation

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-- The Nation 23/02/2010

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Posted

AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution soars in Phayao, Lamphun

By The Nation

Air pollution in Phayao and Lamphun has worsened, with the amount of small particulate matter soaring well above the recognised safe level.

For the sake of people's health, particulate matter with a maximum diameter of 10 microns (PM10) should not exceed 120 micrograms per cubic metre of air.

However, the latest air-quality checks yesterday showed PM10 had reached 172.1 micrograms in Phayao.

In Lamphun, the situation was even more serious, with PM10 touching 185.5 micrograms.

"The smog problem has been serious in Phayao since mid-February," Suwit Khattiwong said in his capacity as the head of Environmental Office Region 2, which covers Lamphang, Phrae, Phayao and Sukhothai.

Suwit said air-quality monitoring equipment had been installed in Phayao for the first time this year.

He believes the locals' way of life is one of the main causes of the smog problem in the northern province, as farmers set fires to get rid of leaves and garbage as well as to scare mosquitoes away from their livestock.

"Now, we are calling on local administrative organisations for help," Suwit said.

He added that awareness campaigns would be a major tool in persuading locals to stop harming the environment and their health.

"We will try to highlight the dangers of their actions," he said.

Anusit Methawararak, who heads the Phayao Natural Resource and Environment Office, said air pollution in the province looked set to reach its worst level in years.

Chiang Mai University researcher Assoc Prof Duangchan Arpawatcharut said human activities were the main causes of air pollution, especially farmers deciding to clear land by setting fires.

Mae Hong Son Natural Resources and Environment Office director Thakorn Lomsattaporn said forest fires and smog had damaged tourism in the popular town of Pai.

"Clearly, the number of tourists has dropped in the face of the smog," he said.

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-- The Nation 2010-02-24

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