‘Safe’ threshold cut 25%

Smoke billows into the air in Nonthaburi province after a farmer set her rice field on fire to clear dry rice straws left after the harvest last month. The burning of crop residue contributes to air pollution and leads to a rise in ultra-fine PM2.5 dust particles. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

After a grower set her wheat field on fire to certain fresh corn straws left over from the produce last month, smoke billows into the air in Nonthaburi province. The burning of crop waste increases the amount of ultra-fine PM2.5 silt particles and contributes to air pollution. ( Photograph: Chatpattarasill, Patrapong)

In an effort to reduce dust pollution, the Pollution Control Department ( PCD ) announced that it would reclassify ultra-fine particulate matter’s( PM2.5 ) safe level from 50 microgrammes per cubic metre( g / m3 ) to 37.5 %.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s continuous director, Jatuporn Burutphat, stated that the organization supports lowering the entry point on Thailand to the Air Quality Index.

The PCD divides air pollution into five categories: blue( very good ), green( good ), yellow( moderate ), orange( unhealthy for sensitive groups ), and red.

The red threshold will be raised from 91 to 75.1 g / m3.

Mr. Jatuporn stated that he asked the PCD to work with officials from neighboring nations to discuss sustainable solutions for transnational haze and to increase public awareness of pollution. To reduce the risk of respiratory diseases brought on by sand waste, people are becoming accustomed to donning face masks and avoiding recreational activities.

Due to the anticipated sweltering temperatures over the next few days, the Health Department has already issued a public warning about the risk of sunstroke.

Counties like Tak, Lampang, Phetchabun, Loei, and Udon Thani had been experiencing every degrees of over 43C, according to its director-general Suwanchai WattanayingcharoenchaI.