Thick smog reached seriously harmful (red) levels in Bangkok and 12 provinces in the Central Plains and the East on Tuesday morning when most parts of Thailand were shrouded with unsafe levels of air pollution.
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) reported at 8am that red levels of particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, (PM2.5) ranged from 75.2 to 92.3 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³) of air. The government-set safe threshold for PM2.5 is 37.5µg/m³.
The highest level, 92.3, was detected in Samut Prakan province, followed by Bangkok (89.6), Chachoengsao (88.4), Rayong (88.1), Samut Sakhon (87.7), Chon Buri (87.6), Nonthaburi (87.3), Pathum Thani (85.2), Prachin Buri (83.2), Nakhon Pathom (82.5), Chanthaburi (78.6), Trat (76.2) and Phetchaburi (75.2).
All 50 districts of Bangkok were blanketed with red levels of PM2.5 ranging from 87.7 to 91.7µg/m³. The highest level was reported in Thung Khru district.
Orange levels (starting to affect health) of PM2.5 ranging from 39.6 to 72.3µg/m³ were reported in 30 provinces.
In descending order, they were Ratchaburi, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Kanchanaburi, Samut Songkhram, Sa Kaeo, Saraburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Nakhon Nayok, Suphan Buri, Ang Thong, Uthai Thani, Sing Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Phetchabun, Phichit, Nong Khai, Tak, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Maha Sarakham, Lamphun, Khon Kaen, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Udon Thani and Kalasin.
Twenty-four provinces had either good or very good air quality. Most of them were in the South and some were in the North and the eastern side of the Northeast. Their PM2.5 levels ranged from 9.2 to 25µg/m³.
In ascending order, they were Mae Hong Son, Trat, Krabi, Phatthalung, Amnat Charoen, Yasothon, Mukdahan, Yala, Chumphon, Phuket, Songkhla, Pattani, Phangnga, Narathiwat, Si Sa Ket, Nakhon Phanom, Ubon Ratchathani, Satun, Bung Kan, Roi Et, Phayao, Phrae, Chiang Mai and Nong Bua Lam Phu.
Moderate air quality with PM2.5 levels between 25.2 and 36.8µg/m³ was detected in Loei, Uttaradit, Surin, Chiang Rai, Nan, Lampang, Surat Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Ranong and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The Meteorological Department expected stagnant air from Tuesday to Wednesday next week. However, rain may reduce PM2.5 levels from Thursday to Saturday.
Source: Bangkok Post