http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Chiang-Mai-haze-forces-four-flights-to-turn-back-30229839.html

It is reported in the Sunday Nation (23/03/14) that air pollution in Chiang Mai is so bad it has caused 4 flights to be sent back to Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports because of poor visibility. In the same article it is reported that Chiang Mai's particles smaller than 10 microns (PM10) yesterday were measured at 282um/m3 against a safety level of 120um/m3. It adds the concentration of these particles was also very high in other northern provinces, and highest at Mae Hong Son (PM10 at 323 micrograms).

As a consequence, Mae Hong Son's Joint Public-Private Committee chairman Supoj Klinpraneet is on record confirming that unless a remedy is found it will cost the local economy millions in trade.

However, across European countries the health standard for small particulate matter is set much lower than Thailand's. In Europe it is prescribed at 50 ug/m3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year over a 24hr period. In Scotland, it is even tighter, being set not to exceed the standard only 7 times.

The reason for tighter standards across Europe can be seen as two fold;

Firstly, it comes from health studies showing that long-term exposure to particulate air pollution is associated with a decrease in life expectancy. During periods of high pollution episodes there is normally more admissions to hospital for the treatment of both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and symptoms amongst patients suffering from asthma.

And secondly, it comes from agreements reached across all European member states, that if wanting to be part of common trade agreements, there comes with it a need to meet common environmental conditions.

Sometimes it is forgotten the importance of agreements (and fines) to deal with trans boundary problems like these small particulates which go deep into the lungs. The economic consequences of these smogs go far wider than aircraft being sent away.

Please continue in the topic running here: Chiang Mai haze forces four flights to turn back

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