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[Terry]

"Air quality limits in the North need to be reconsidered because the dangers to people's health are more serious than many realised, a health lecturer has warned.

Dr Pongthep, head of Chiang Mai University (CMU) Community Medicine Depart-ment, urged the Pollution Control Department to review air quality control limits in crowded areas. He said air pollution in Chiang Mai and Lamphun could lead to problems for the respiratory system, heart, skin and eyes. . .

At the end of January, researchers concluded that the effects of dust particles, less than 10 microns, were hazardous to respiratory systems. Moreover, many people were found to be suffering from neck pains, difficulty in breathing, red eyes, blurred eyesight, and other indications of poor air quality.

Higher levels of dust affect people who have breathed them in for up to four days later. Meanwhile, carbon monoxide from motor vehicles is one of the main threats to health in Chiang Mai and Mae Rim district.

"Although the research is still in its first month, we have found that the air quality in Chiang Mai has a very negative affect on people. We have to increase pollution controls more strictly," Dr Pongthep said.

Thailand has lax rules for pollution limits compared to other countries, he said. In Europe, dust particles less than 10 microns must not exceed 65 micrograms per square metre, but the limit in Thailand is 120.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/01...al_30066941.php

[Harold]

In Europe, dust particles less than 10 microns must not exceed 65 micrograms per square metre, but the limit in Thailand is 120.

It's even lower in Australia where anything over 50 mg/m3 is considered harmful to health. That makes the Thai standards for air in places like Bangkok and Chiang Mai close to toxic levels ! The World Health Organization also has a limit of 50/m3.

http://www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/a.../standards.html

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/...3/en/index.html