What is PM2.5?
How dangerous
is PM2.5?
While dust particles are all around in the air, small particulate matters such as PM2.5 are especially dangerous. Think of a water pipe filled with stone rubbles of various sizes; pipe grating is generally effective at trapping only larger rubbles while smaller ones are allowed to pass through. These smaller rubbles, initially undetectable, are ones that will cause pipe clogging. Human body’s filtering of particulate matters functions in much the same way. While the body can remove larger dust particles, smaller PM2.5 particles can pass through the nose into the lungs and get transported to other organs through the blood vessels. These particles, along with dangerous chemical substances they carry, often remain undetected and cause all types of illnesses such as cancer, lung diseases and skin diseases over time.
PM2.5 also affects people financially, requiring people to spend their financial resources to protect themselves with air purifiers, air filters, masks, and disease treatments when they are unable to avoid exposure. Other social costs include the inability for adults to exercise and for children to play outdoors, often resulting in deterioration of health and increased risk of depression.
40,218
Factories in Bangkok Area
Or Approximately 28%
of factories nationwide.
Where are
PM2.5 from?
Among the provinces of Thailand, Bangkok and northern provinces such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are most affected by PM2.5 and air pollution issues. While PM2.5 can be partially attributed to natural causes, major causes for the pollution are in fact man-made. Activities such as open-air biomass burning, forest burning, vehicular emissions, and industrial pollution from the 40,218 factories around Bangkok area all contribute to PM2.5.
Apart from the visible man-made activities, though, another major cause of the air pollution problem in Thailand are the invisible “structural problems”. These are, for example, national policy that prioritizes unsustainable economic activities as can be seen from the relatively small allocation of the national budget for environmental protection (0.4% of national expenditure in 2020), the fact that Thailand has insufficient road surfaces for the number of vehicles in the country which causes traffic congestions, and the vehicle taxation scheme which collects cheaper taxes on older vehicles. Thailand, especially Bangkok, also prioritizes “vertical growth” by encouraging construction of high-rise residential buildings that effectively “trap” the air pollution within the cities. These are structural problems which cannot be solved by individuals but require infrastructure changes at the highest level.
Are Thai people’s lives cheaper than those in other countries?
People in Thailand relies heavily on the Air Quality Index (AQI) to become aware of the danger posed by PM2.5, with a belief that once AQI exceeds 100 ug/m3. Thailand’s National Environment Board (NEB) had established standards for daily and annual average AQIs, setting them at the averages of 50 ug/m3 for each 24-hour period and 25 ug/m3 annually. Despite NEB standards, rarely would Thai people be provided a warning then the air pollution levels exceed them. What is more concerning is the fact that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends AQI averages to be 25 ug/m3 for each 24-hour period and 10 ug/m3 annually. The United States set their standards at 35 ug/m3 for each 24-hour period and 12 ug/m3 annually while the European Union set the annual average standard at 25 ug/m3. When compared to WHO’s recommendations and the standards set by the U.S. and EU, Thailand’s standards are far lower. It is worth questioning whether Thai people’s lungs are stronger or if the standards have been set to allow unchecked industrial growth.
The visible PM2.5 is only the tip of the iceberg of air pollution problems in Thailand. A much larger invisible challenge underneath that tip is the nation’s unsustainable growth policies set by not just the current, but by all the previous government cabinets and the insufficient importance accorded to environmental protection as seen from the small budget allocated for the cause.
How can we protect ourselves
from the pollution?
Utilizing air purifiers
Choose an air purifier size that is suitable for the room size to enhance dust filtration efficiency.
Wearing pollution-protection masks
The “N95”, is also recommended as well as limiting time outdoors during periods of severe air pollution
Use Public Transportation
Avoid driving to reduce emissions from engine combustion.
Minimize outdoor and dusty area exposure
Switch to exercising at the fitness center and play with your kids at home instead. However, if you cannot avoid traveling or working because it's necessary, always wear a face mask.
Follow updates on environmental issues
Regularly monitor environmental news and PM2.5 levels to stay prepared, protect yourself in a timely manner, and be mindful of your own health symptoms throughout.
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