Air unhealthy in much of Bangkok
published : 8 Jan 2020 at 13:07
writer: Gary Boyle
PM2.5 was at unsafe levels in 38 areas in Bangkok and its neighbouring provinces on Wednesday morning, prompting the Pollution Control Department to warn against outdoor activities.
The department and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration reported that levels of PM2.5 were in the orange zone in 38 areas, with levels measuring from 40-71 microgrammes per cubic metre of air.
Samut Prakan was the worst polluted with 71, followed by Krathum Baen district in Samut Sakhon and Bung Kum district in the capital with 70.
Other unhealthy areas in Bangkok were Bang Khuntien, Bang Na, Pathumwan, Thon Buri and Wang Thonglang districts. Muang district of Nakhon Pathom, Pakkret district of Nonthaburi, Khlong Luang district in Pathum Thani, Phra Pradaeng district of Samut Prakan were also among the worst areas.
The PM2.5 levels have worsened since Monday. The government considers readings of 51 or more unsafe for health. Elsewhere in the world the safe level is usually much lower.
The department advised people in affected areas to stay inside if possible and wear a mask when they do go outside.
Vocabulary
- affected (verb): having received an effect or influence - ถูกผลกระทบ, มีผลต่อ
- elsewhere: another place or other places - ที่อื่น
- mask: something that you wear to cover part or all of your face in order to hide who you are, for protection or for decoration - หน้ากาก, เครื่องปิดหน้า
- PM2.5 (n): atmospheric particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres, which is about 3% the diameter of a human hair. It can lodge in the lungs and enter blood vessels, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular disease -
- polluted: (of water, air, land) having dirty or harmful substances so that it is no longer pleasant or safe to use - ซึ่งเป็นมลพิษ
- worsen (verb): to get worse, to make worse - เลวลง, แย่ลง, ทรุดลง
- Keywords
- district
- areas
- levels
- neighbouring provinces
