PUBLISHED: 5 Feb 2025 at 04: 43
All 50 district offices have been given permission by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) to declare pollution control areas to prevent sources of particulate matter up to 2.5 microns or PM2.5.
Each area director can use the Public Health Act 1992, Section 28/1, to make an announcement regarding the determination of curse control areas for sources of PM2.5, including a control area on possible risky areas like vacant land where people could possibly lose garbage or dry weeds, according to deputy governor of Bangkok, Tavida Kamolvej, on Tuesday.
She said 14 city agencies recently announced the command places, such as Lat Krabang, Nong Chok, Bangkok Yai, and Thawi Watthana. In addition, the BMA is having officials inspect sand sources in every area, such as building sites, precast concrete manufacturing sites, factories, and temples.
According to the officials, about 308 temple crematoriums do not adhere to the proper standards. She stated that rather than turning to law enforcement in these circumstances, the BMA will work with them to improve the facilities.
According to BMA deputy permanent secretary Sunthorn Sunthornchart, the city already has a PM2.5 Health Impact Control Center to monitor air pollution. It has distributed 450, 000 face masks to the public in the past month.
The center has also collaborated with the Ministry of Public Health, the private sector, and various government departments to request a work-from-home policy when PM2.5 levels are high.
Ekwaranyu Amrapal, a spokesman for the BMA, claimed the PM2.5 situation on Tuesday at 11 a.m. was above the safety threshold. The average level in Bangkok was 41.6 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³ ) in 36 districts, while the” safety” limit is 37.5 µg/m³.
He claimed that the Pollution Control Department anticipates the capital’s PM2.5 situation to worsen from February 5 to February 11. On Feb 6-9, it will reach the orange level when outdoor activities are discouraged. He predicted that mask use will be a requirement for the air quality to remain moderate between February 10 and February 11.
Eleven BMA hospitals reported a 2-fold increase in patients who had fallen for the dust in the past month. The main problems were skin or eye inflammation, along with respiratory, heart and vascular disease, they said.