Bangkok is blanked in excessive levels of PM2.5 dust this morning. By 9 am on Thursday, the air quality index in the Thai capital had climbed to 163, far exceeding the safe range of 0-50, as reported by the IQAir website.
Ranked as the ninth most polluted city in the world, Bangkok saw air quality drop below safe levels in 64 areas, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) Air Quality Information Centre.
The centre reported that citywide PM2.5 levels averaged 64.2 micrograms per cubic meter (mcg), well above the national safety limit of 37.5 mcg over a three-hour period from 5 to 7 am.
PM2.5 particles, which are dust particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or smaller, can lead to chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases with long-term exposure.
In the city, the top six districts with the most elevated PM2.5 levels were Nong Khaem (95.1 mcg), Prawet (81.1 mcg), Thawi Watthana (81.0 mcg), Bang Bon (79.6 mcg), Bang Khun Thian (75.9 mcg), and Thonburi (75.1 mcg).
Residents of Bangkok are advised to wear face masks when going outside and to limit outdoor activities. The centre also suggests that city residents monitor symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and eye irritation.
People with chronic illnesses are advised to avoid polluted areas, keep necessary medications and medical supplies on hand, and adhere to doctors’ advice.
Daily updates on air quality are available on the AirBKK app, at www.airbkk.com, through Line Alert, and on the Facebook page of the BMA’s Environment Department.
