"We have a road map in place. The goal is to make Chiang Mai smog-free," assistant Chiang Mai governor Chumporn Saengmanee said yesterday at a press conference to launch a project to provide more information about air pollution and management in Chiang Mai. More than 100 people attended.
Between February and April last year, smog covered huge areas of Chiang Mai, posing serious health risks for local residents. Dr Pongthep Wiwattanadej, deputy dean of Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Medicine, said his team was conducting a study on how best to develop air-quality monitoring systems in the Chiang Mai and Lamphun area.
Funded by the Thailand Research Fund, the study will collect health information from 100 people each day from January 1 to April 30. The information will only focus on air-pollution-related symptoms. "Current findings clearly show that air pollution has hurt people's health," Pongthep said, adding that air pollution in Chiang Mai came mainly from vehicle engines and burning in forest areas.
The more units of particles of 10 microns diameter (PM 10) in the air, the faster a human heart beats. "Air pollution also affects the eyes and respiratory system," Pongthep said.
He said Thailand should review its acceptable amount of PM10 dust particles, which was now set at 120 micrograms per cubic metre of air. "European countries have put the PM10 dust particles limit at 65 micrograms per cubic metre," he added.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/02/16...al_30065581.php
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Chiang Mai has "road map" to end air pollution
Started by Sexpat, Feb 16 2008 10:24 AM
4 replies to this topic
#2
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Posted 17 February 2008 - 11:50 AM
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...air pollution in Chiang Mai came mainly from vehicle engines and burning in forest areas.
Neither of which the Thai authorities have done anything to stop. Justy travel around the area in the spring and watch the hundreds of farmers doing their slash-and-burn and you'll see how worthless this study will be if they don't have the sense and will to ban the fires.
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He said Thailand should review its acceptable amount of PM10 dust particles, which was now set at 120 micrograms per cubic metre of air. "European countries have put the PM10 dust particles limit at 65 micrograms per cubic metre," he added.
In other words, the only reason the air quality in most of Thailand is not considered a serious danger to health is that the Thais have set the bar far beyond current accepted European health standards. Amazing thailand strikes again !
#3
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Posted 27 February 2008 - 05:12 PM
[attachmentid=246]
"A citizen reporter has sent this photo showing smog from man-made bush fires blanketing Chiang Mai and obliterating the beautiful view." Bangkok Post: 2/26/08
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/index.php
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Just travel around the area in the spring and watch the hundreds of farmers doing their slash-and-burn and you'll see how worthless this study will be if they don't have the sense and will to ban the fires.
2/17/08"A citizen reporter has sent this photo showing smog from man-made bush fires blanketing Chiang Mai and obliterating the beautiful view." Bangkok Post: 2/26/08
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/index.php
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#4
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Posted 28 February 2008 - 05:43 AM
A week ago today, at noon, I could barely see the outlines of the airport from the veranda at Doi Suthep. The city proper was all but invisible due to the air pollution.
My guess is that the "road map" the Thais may be considering is the road that runs through Hang Dong. Using your map, just drive far enough on that road toward Doi Inthanon that you don't see air pollution and, voila, problem solved! (not that I'm cynical or anything like that....
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My guess is that the "road map" the Thais may be considering is the road that runs through Hang Dong. Using your map, just drive far enough on that road toward Doi Inthanon that you don't see air pollution and, voila, problem solved! (not that I'm cynical or anything like that....
)
#5
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Posted 29 February 2008 - 01:34 PM
It's not just Chiang Mai. In virtually every town I have ever visited in Issan, you see people routinely burning their trash in the yard. I also saw a beach concession guy in that awful area north of Pattaya Park who was burning leaves and garbage right there on the beach ! I don't think these people have a clue what air pollution even means.
