The haze and air pollution problem in the northern region improved slightly this year, environmental minister Gen Surasak Kanjanarat said in a seminar on air pollution recently.
"Thanks to cooperation, the overall haze pollution in nine provinces in the north this year was less than last year," Gen Surasak said in a meeting. The meeting, "After Action Review" (AAR), was held recently amongst officials and stakeholders of nine provinces in order to review performance in combatting against haze pollution in the region which seasonally takes place from February to May.
Gen Surasak said the latest information from the Pollution Control Department (PCD) showed hotspots -- or spots with intense fire in nine provinces -- had decreased by 13%.
The nine provinces include Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Lamphun, Tak, Phayao, Phrae and Nan.
On May 11, Greenpeace said Chiang Mai was the country's most polluted city in terms of the the fine particulate dust PM2.5, which according to the World Health Organization is linked to strokes, lung and heart disease.
Data from AirVisual, an independent worldwide PM2.5 real-time and forecast air quality index level database, showed that Chiang Mai had the highest levels of smog in the world over the 24-hour period of March 6, 2018, with a reading reaching 183 AQI.
(Video YouTube/Ch3Thailand)
Gen Surasak said there were 4,717 hotspots in the north this year between January 1-May 31, compared with 5,418 hotspots the previous year.
Tak province continued to remain the worst performer having the highest number (1,377) of hotspots, followed by Mae Hon Song province with 915 hotspots, and Chiang Mai with 650 hotspots according to PCD's information.
There were 220 cases of wrongdoing in which individuals started fires during the ban period. Most of these cases occurred in Phrae province.
The highest amount of dust particles smaller than 10 microns (PM10) was found in Lampang province which registered 233 microgrammes per cubic metre (ug/cu/m). The valley province is known for its poor ventilation which traps smoke. A level of 120 ug/cu m is deemed acceptable.
Inhaling PM10 dust poses various health risks ranging from coughing and wheezing, asthma attacks, bronchitis, high blood pressure, heart attack, strokes, and even premature death.
Gen Surasak asked authorities to remain vigilant.
"It is our job to limit hotspots for the entire year. This year we were lucky thanks to the early arrival of the rainy season," he said.
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