Indonesian Haze Shrouds South Thailand Again

[george]

Health risk: Indonesian haze shrouds Thailand's lower Southern region

HAT YAI: -- Local Meteorological Office Saturday warned people in much of Southern Thailand against possible health dangers as strong

south-westerly winds blew heavy smog from forest fires in Indonesia's Sumatra Island to many provinces in the region, cutting visibility and causing breathing problems.

The lowest visibility recorded was 200-300 metres in Hat Yai, the commercial capital of the South, in Songkla province.

The Meteorological Department's southern east coast office in Songkla reported that the haze has blanketed many provinces, including Songkla, Trang, Pattalung, Satun,Yala and some parts of Nakhon Sri Thammarat.

The agency said it would closely monitor the conditions and ask agencies concerned to check dust particle and chemical levels to see whether they exceed standard limits.

In Satun and Yala provinces, thick smoke caused eye and nose irritation in some residents.

It also deterred small fishing boats going out to sea due to poor visibility.

Satun provincial governor ordered the purchase of 1,000 masks to be distributed to people to help prevent the risk of respiratory problems if the air pollution worsens.

Meanwhile, Yala pubic health provincial chief warned people to keep vigilant, especially those with asthma--recommendaing that they stay indoors and refrain from taking outdoor exercise.

--TNA 2005-08-13

[george]

HAZE ALARM IN THE SOUTH

HAT YAI: -- A smothering haze from uncontrolled forest fires on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island blanketed Thailand’s southern border provinces yesterday, forcing local authorities to issue warnings of poor visibility and respiratory difficulties.

The Pollution Control Department has found a high amount of potentially harmful small particles in some areas.

Wanchai Sakudomchai, the acting chief of the weather bureau for the southeastern provinces, said in the morning that winds had blown the haze shrouding parts of Malaysia over to the provinces of Songkhla, Trang, Satun, Pattani and Yala.

He warned motorists and fisherman to be careful while travelling as the haze had resulted in lower visibility both on the roads and at sea.

Songkhla public health official Dr Wichian Kaenploy said yesterday his office was expediting air quality tests but did not yet have a reading on levels in the area.

In the meantime, Wichian advised people, especially those suffering from respiratory diseases and allergies, to stay indoors.

He said if they had to go outdoors, they should wear face masks, which would be distributed to the public through local hospitals and the provincial health office.

Supat Wangwongwattana, deputy director-general of the Pollution Control Department, said mobile units in some areas reported finding particles of less than

10 micrograms in concentrations of up to 211-micrograms per cubic metre yesterday between noon and 1pm.

However, variable winds meant that over a 24-hour period, the concentration was registered at 69-micrograms/cubic metre, lower than the standard 120.

“The amount of dust increases in the south because at certain times of the day the wind blows high amounts of dust onto us, but fades in the evening,” Supat said, adding the department would closely monitor the situation and update the public every hour via its website and, in a worst-case scenario, warn the public through the National Disaster Warning Centre.

Supat said the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry was preparing a letter to urge Indonesia to bring forest fires under control while the government would raise the issue at the Asean meeting next week.

Satun Governor Manit Wattanasaen said he ordered officials to hand out masks to the public for fear the smog might be toxic.

Satun’s Tourism Association president Samart Charoenrit said the haze covered tourist spots including Tarutao National Park and nearby islands, causing ferry captains to proceed with caution as visibility on the water was limited to 500 metres.

The haze from the Indonesian fires has blanketed parts of Malaysia for almost two weeks now, prompting Kuala Lumpur to declare a state of emergency in two towns, and to send a minister to work with Indonesian authorities to extinguish the fires.

The smog has resulted from forest fires lit to clear land for plantations and mining on Sumatra Island. The clearing has been a yearly occurrence on Sumatra Island since 1997. In 1997 and 1998 a choking haze caused by the fires enveloped parts of Southeast Asia for months.

--The Nation 2005-08-14

[george]

Indonesian haze has minimal impact on Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Haze from forest fires on Indonesia's Sumatra Island has covered seven southern Thai provinces, causing poor visibility and breathing difficulties, but the Pollution Control Department says concentrations remain below the standard danger levels and should not pose danger to people in the affected areas.

Supat Wangwongwattana, deputy director general of the Pollution Control Department, said winds had blown the haze shrouding parts of Malaysia over the Thai provinces of Satun, Phatthalung, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Phuket and Songkhla.

Officials yesterday measured air pollution and found concentrations registered at 92 micrograms/cubic meter over a 24-hour period, lower than the standard 120 micrograms/cubic metre, said Mr. Supat.

Although the effect is not determined to be serious, he advised people living in the affected provinces to stay indoors as much as possible. He said his department would closely monitor the situation and update the public through its website.

Thailand, according to Mr. Supat, will raise the smog issue in Indonesia during an ASEAN meeting to be held in Malaysia next week as the problem had affected neighbouring countries during the past years.

So far, seven ASEAN members have ratified a treaty on forest fire prevention -- while Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines have yet to sign.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Thailand was affected from smog less than Malaysia and his government would contact the Indonesian government to see whether it needed help from this country to control forest fires there.

--TNA 2005-08-14

[george]

10,000 emergency face masks sent South to counter toxic haze

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry will this evening dispatch 10,000 face masks for emergency use by persons living in six southern provinces now encountering haze problems resulting from Indonesian forest fires and blown by winds from Indonesia's Sumatra Island.

Dr. Vichai Tienthavorn, Permanent Secretary of the Public Health Ministry, said some portions of the populace in Thailand's six southern provinces of Songkhla, Phatthalung, Pattani, Yala, Satun and Narathiwat may now be suffering from eye irritation and breathing difficulties.

Those who are already suffering from allergies and asthma may find their symptoms becoming worse due to possible toxic contaminants in the smog.

All 10,000 masks will first be sent to a public health office in Songkhla and distributed to users later, said Dr. Vichai.

Meanwile, the Director General of the Ministry's Disease Control Department, Dr. Thawat Soontracharn, said smoke from forest fires usually contains toxic substances including hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide and aromatics which become less harmful as they travel greater distance and are diluted in

the atmosphere.

Dr. Thawat said he believed the current haze will not pose a health problem for Thais.

--TNA 2005-08-14

[george]

Smoke in South decline

SOUTH THAILAND: -- A Particle reading of 211 micrograms per cubic metre was reported yesterday. The highest level since the haze blew across Thailand on Friday. But the Pollution Control Department Deputy director-general "Supat Wangwongwattana" said satellite images show the situation in Phuket and Hat-Yai has returned to normal since this morning.

Smoke in 5 out 6 affected provinces is now below the danger level. However, people in these provinces should maintain precautionary measures as the smoke could cause short-term health problems. Officials warn locals especially the elderly and those with breathing difficulties should aviod unnecessary outdoor activities. Those who need to go out must wear face masks and use extream caution when driving.

Updates on the situation will be announced on the department'a website every hour and through the National Disaster Warning Centre on the worst case scenario.

Thailand has planned to raise the haze crisis at the ASEAN Meeting next week in a bid to pressure Indonesia to comply with regional pollution control. Meanwhile Malaysia has lifted its emergency warning as the hazardous smoke dissipated overnight. K-L reported 7 deaths that may have been caused by the smoke.

--The Nation 2005-08-14

[jaloochapurr]

Talked with my wifes sister yesterday in SATUN. She reports it is getting better but on Saturday it was reallly bad and getting a fresh taste of air was difficult. No reports of anybody there getting masks to make it easier.

[george]

Sumatra 'haze' reaches Phuket

PHUKET: -- Hazy atmospheric conditions in Phuket today are the result of forest fires on the Indonesian Island of Sumatra that have left much of Malaysia and Southern Thailand coughing in smoke over the past week.

Chumnong Chitpukdee, chief of the Meteorological Department’s Southern Meteorological Center (West Coast), confirmed that Sumatra is the source of the haze, which is being carried here across the Strait of Malacca by prevailing southwest monsoon winds.

“The haze made it as far north as Trang yesterday and today it reached Phuket,” he said.

K. Chumnong said that the concentration of smoke particles in the air was not high enough to pose a health risk and the sky should clear up considerably with the next rainfall, which he said he expects “soon”.

The haze poses no great risk to aviation, he added. “Fortunately, vis ibility is still good at the airport because of steady winds coming off the sea,” he said.

--Phuket Gazette 2005-08-16

[El Taco Loco]

For a moment there I thought I was in LA when I woke up. It was not this bad last year. This is the first time I have seen it like this in Phuket.

Sniper

Sumatra 'haze' reaches Phuket

PHUKET: -- Hazy atmospheric conditions in Phuket today are the result of forest fires on the Indonesian Island of Sumatra that have left much of Malaysia and Southern Thailand coughing in smoke over the past week.

--Phuket Gazette 2005-08-16

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Captain Haddock]

Very hazy here in NST today. Reckon there be a fair wind blowing it up from Songkhla... Couldn't even see the mountains at a distance of 20km!

[george]

Update:

Masks issued to combat Sumatran smoke

PHUKET CITY: Residents with respiratory ailments can protect themselves from the smoke that has enveloped the island by picking up free face masks at Wachira Phuket Hospital.

Dr Wanchai Sattayawutthipong, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO), told the Gazette that the average particulate matter reading (PM-10 reading, for particles less than 10 microns in size) in air samples taken over 24 hours yesterday was 82.5 micrograms per cubic meter, still well below the 120µg/m³threshold deemed to pose a risk to healthy people.

Dr Wanchai said the smoke could pose a threat to people with allergies and respiratory illnesses. Such people could collect face masks free-of-charge at Wachira Phuket Hospital, he said.

The source of the haze is wildfires burning out of control on the Indonesian island of Suma tra, he said.

His office will continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue warnings as needed should the situation worsen. He advised people who experience difficulty breathing to:

-Cover their noses and mouths with a damp cloth when going outside;

-Keep doors and windows shut to prevent smoke from entering dwellings;

-Take special care to keep people in high-risk groups away from areas with high smoke concentrations, especially by staying indoors;

-Consult a doctor immediately if experiencing breathing difficulty;

-Avoid smoking cigarettes and drink plenty of water;

-Avoid strenuous exercise;

-Do not collect rainwater for drinking until at least one hour has passed since the beginning of the rainfall.

The Pollution Control Department displays updated air-quality data at: www.pcd.go.th/AirQuality/Regional/defaultThai.cfm

The most recent readings show a PM-10 reading of 69.8 µg/m³ and an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 69, also below the warning standard of 100.

For more information please contact the PPHO at 076-222913-4.

--Phuket Gazette 2005-08-16

[george]

Haze worsens on Thailand's Phuket island

BANGKOK: -- The haze from Indonesian forest fires began to clear in Thailand's deep south but worsened Tuesday on the popular resort island of Phuket, pollution officials said.

Smoke and dust was being blown over Malaysia and into Thailand from peat fires raging on Kalimantan on the Indonesian side of Borneo island, more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) southeast of Thailand's eight southern provinces that have been affected.

Thai officials said the air pollution index had risen steadily on Phuket, the jewel in the crown of Thailand's tropical tourism industry, and warned of a possible return of haze to the deep south in coming days.

"The haze (level) in southern provinces today is safe, but Thailand risks being affected by haze in one or two days, and the pollution control department will closely monitor the situation," it said in a statement.

"The average is still below the standard hazardous measure of 120 micrograms per cubic meter," the department added.

Measurements of 42.2 micrograms were recorded in the southern economic hub of Hat Yai, down from 66.9 on Monday.

--AFP 2005-08-16

[george]

Haze spreads to lower South

SOUTH THAILAND: -- Smoke from uncontrolled forest fires in Indonesia has caused poor visibility in Phuket and provinces in the lower South, forcing motorists to keep their headlights on all day. However, the air quality has not reached hazardous levels.

The haze from bush fires on Indonesia's Sumatra island has covered Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Phuket, reducing visibility and increasing the level of dust particles in the air.

Dr Wanchai Satthawutthipong, Phuket provincial public health chief, said the level of dust particles in Phuket was measured at 82.5 microgrammes per cubic metre yesterday, which did not exceed the standard of 120 mg/cu/m.

The air quality was measured at 77mg/cu/m, which was not dangerous to people's health. However, it would pose health risks to those who suffered from respiratory ailments, asthma and allergies.

He warned residents experiencing breathing problems to stay indoors. Those staying in areas where there was thick smoke were told to avoid open-air exercise and drink lots of water.

Sources said the haze has affected motorists in Phuket who had to keep their headlights on throughout the day.

--Bangkok Post 2005-08-17

[Jai Dee]

AIR QUALITY IN PHUKET IS NOT YET HAZARDOUS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

The Phuket provincial public health office has warned of the dangers from the smoke resulting from the forest fires in Indonesia.

Md. Wanchai Sattayawutthiphong (วันชัย สัตยาวุฒิพงศ์), a doctor from the Phuket public health office, revealed that the forest fires in Indonesia have resulted in smoke and dust particles covering Indonesia and neighbouring countries. The southern parts of Thailand, including Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Phuket have all now been affected. Land, sea and air transport in these provinces have all felt the effect, and people residing in the areas are also being affected.

The air quality measurement taken in Phuket on August 15th found that no health hazard was yet eminent for the general public. However, people with allergies, especially Asthma and Chronic Bronchitis, should avoid leaving their homes. Md. Wanchai said the general public should avoid encounters with smoke, refrain from smoking, drink more water, and refrain from heavy exercise during this period. He also said they should close their doors and windows to prevent the dust and smoke from entering their homes. People should also temporarily refrain from collecting rainwater. In addition, those with breathing difficulty can ask for special masks from the public health office.

Source: thaisnews.com 2005-08-17

[george]

Toxic haze continues to shroud South; Ministry sends more masks

BANGKOK: -- Seen and unseen, the burned particles of Indonesian forests and peat bogs continue to fill the air, the lungs and the eyes of many people across southern Thailand.

Rich or poor, farmers, executives, schoolchildren, soldiers, the toxic contamination is no respector of age, social standing, religion, or politics.

But people with respiratory problems already are more subject to risk, according to the Ministry of Public Health.

The Public Health Ministry has sent 150,000 haze masks to the south for local residents to protect themselves from toxic contamination caused by forest fires in Indonesia.

Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr. Vichai Tienthavon said the emergency shipment of masks to protect smoke-affected people in the lower south amounted to 150,000 standard haze masks and 5,000 special masks for outdoor workers.

The ministry is working together with the Pollution Control Department to monitor air quality to protect the quality of life for all people in the region.

Dr. Vichai said the minute particles of many burned and partially burnt substances means there are many kinds of dust, some which is dangerous and some which poses no threat.

Readiness is the policy of the public health authorities, he said. Our hospitals in the southern provinces are fully prepared and have stockpiled the appropriate medications and haze masks for respiratory diseases and for anyone who reacts strongly to the haze.

There has been no increase of hospitalized patients with respiratory compaints, he said, because local residents have been learning to protect themselves by listening to the advice of health professionals -- officials who have been doing a good job to benefit everyone.

--TNA 2005-08-17

[LivinLOS]

Cleared here in Patong as of last night..

Hazy but can see the horizon.. Last night was 800m to 1.2km at a guess..

[mr_lob]

same here in krabi - cleared this morning

[jaloochapurr]

Sister in law reports in Satun was getting better, rained last night and ckeared a little.

[george]

Phuket Haze gone, unlikely to return

PHUKET: -- Blue skies returned to Phuket today as the haze from Indonesia receded, thanks to a combination of local winds and increasingly effective fire-fighting on Sumatra.

Chumnong Chitpukdee, Chief of the Meteorological Department’s Southern Meteorological Center (West Coast), told the Gazette this morning that the weather in Phuket has already returned to normal.

“Luckily for us we have sea breezes that moved the haze on at a brisk pace. The haze situation in provinces further south is improving, though Trang, Krabi and Satun are still suffering” he added.

He explained, “I don’t think the haze will return to Phuket or the surrounding area because the fires on Sumatra are now being fought through international cooperation.”

K. Chumnong added that, because of a low-pressure trough, Phuket is unlikely to have rain for the next few days.

--Phuket Gazette 2005-08-17

[Chua]

I just came back from a visa run to Penang, which was OK at the time, but KL had a pollution index of over 400 which is designated as "hazardous" (500 is emergency level).

The real question no one seems to be answering is: why doesn't the Malaysian & Thai governments assist Sumatra in putting out these fires. Who is setting these? Why isn't there more effort going into stopping them?

[dseawarrior]

I just came back from a visa run to Penang, which was OK at the time, but KL had a pollution index of over 400 which is designated as "hazardous" (500 is emergency level).

The real question no one seems to be answering is: why doesn't the Malaysian & Thai governments assist Sumatra in putting out these fires.  Who is setting these?  Why isn't there more effort going into stopping them?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Excellent Questions!

Why are there so many fires in this region in general? Living in Chiang Mai during the "burning season" was no joke on the lungs...

Recently, Chiang Mai has had huge flooding -- do people see the connections between burning the forests and the deluges that result later???

Come on folks let's all wake up to the environmental damage that we seem to let happen every day...

Plant Trees... Check out these links:

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari...=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari...=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

dseawarrior

back in Berkeley, USA