Bangkok to have itself a smoggy little Christmas

[PeteC]

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/ ... christmas/

BANGKOK — You better not run; you better not hike; you better not breathe, we’re telling you why – nasty smog has come to town.

It’s time to break out the masks again as heavy smog has returned to the capital just before the long Christmas and New Year’s holidays begin.

As of 10am Friday, Bangkok’s air pollution rose to 184 on an independent international index, a level considered “ unhealthy.” The high levels of ultrafine particles mean active children and adults and people with respiratory diseases are advised to avoid exerting themselves outdoors.

The Pollution Control Department said Thursday that 14 parts in the country exceed acceptable standards in terms of particulate pollution. Affected areas in metro Bangkok include Bang Khun Thian (around Kanchanapisek Road), Bang Na, Din Daeng and Bang Kapi’s Khong Chan.

Outside Bangkok, the air is especially bad in Nakhon Pathom city, Samut Prakan city and Samut Prakan’s Phra Pradaeng district.

While the international monitoring measures the finest – and most dangerous – type of air pollution, the government pollution department still does not. Called PM2.5, these are measuring under 2.5 micrometers that can only be seen with an electron microscope. They can cause great harm to the respiratory system and lead to strokes as well as lung and heart disease.

Larger particles, anything over 10 micrometers, are known as PM10.

The pollution department, which is part of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, plans to assess micro particulate pollution nationwide within another two years.

Episodes of heavy smog have plagued the capital city since the beginning of the year. In February, it reached severe levels considered “very unhealthy.”

[caller]

I arrived in Bkk earlier.It looks like a dark mist from afar and a lighter mist when here! Luckily heading on to Khon Kaen tomorrow and hopefully it will be gone when I get back on the 30th.

[Nereus]

It's those bloody Chinese! They are not sending enough North East cool wind!

[handdrummer]

My wife went to Bangkok last Sun. This morning she called and sounded like sandpaper on rough wood. Thank you heysoos that I don't have to live in Bangkok.

[migrant]

It's those bloody Chinese! They are not sending enough North East cool wind!

But the government said the Chinese were sending enough and increasing it 5% this year

[deepee]

Up early this morning to see that dark grey smog heading down our way from the north east, so not only Bkk is enjoying it.
Mrs deeper sensitive to it, says her nostrils burning up today bit more than usual.

[oakdale160]

There is a perception that staying indoors can help. Unless you have an air purifier you are breathing the same air inside as out, you just can't see it. The filter on your A/C is not a purifier, it only catches very large particles.

[laphanphon]

[handdrummer]

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness ... Mark Twain

Sometimes it reinforces it.

[oakdale160]

Not an everyday problem as in some Chinese cities. The difference, of course, is that China is working to find solutions.
Phasing out Int Combustion engines in cars being one of them.