Air Pollution in Bangkok has reached unhealthy levels, prompting officials to advise residents to work from home and wear face masks when venturing outside. The Thai capital’s already poor air quality has been made worse by forest fires and burning on farms, leading to a spike in respiratory problems and other health issues among residents.

Agricultural burning and forest fires are significant causes of air pollution in Thailand between December and April, especially in the northwest. These fires also affect Bangkok, which struggles with lousy air due to its factories, construction, and traffic. On Thursday morning, PM2.5 levels reached 63.2 µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter), according to the Swiss air quality company IQAir – far higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual air quality guideline of 5 µg/m³.

To combat the problem, officials have urged people to use public transport instead of private cars for commuting. They have promised to reduce sources of Pollution, such as outdoor burning and construction activities. Face masks will also be distributed to vulnerable people. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said that while Pollution was expected to rise on Thursday, it did not require schools to be closed.

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“I would like to ask people to be prepared by checking the Pollution level before planning a trip. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Pollution department will control the sources of the dust and ask for cooperation from activities that generate dust, such as construction sites or truck transportation,” Sittipunt said. He added that if the situation worsened, limitations on transport would be considered.

Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the permanent secretary of the health ministry, said this week that all local public health services would monitor the situation and that emergency centers would be opened in provinces experiencing high levels of Pollution for more than three consecutive days. The number of patients undergoing Pollution-related health problems more than doubled to nearly 213,000 this week from about 96,000 last week, Opas said. Most were experiencing respiratory tract problems and symptoms such as dermatitis or eye inflammation.

The situation will be monitored closely throughout February and is expected to improve in March. In the meantime, residents of Bangkok need to take steps to protect themselves and their families from the harmful effects of air Pollution. This may include working from home, wearing a face mask, and using public transportation instead of driving. By working together and taking small actions, we can help improve the air quality in Bangkok and create a healthier and more sustainable future for everyone.

Let’s all do our part to reduce air pollution in Bangkok. Avoid burning trash or agricultural waste, carpool or use public transportation, and consider working from home. Remember, healthy air is essential for healthy lives.

Air Pollution is an invisible killer and has been linked to so many diseases, including fatty liver disease, depression and other mental health issues, and a study even found that nearly 6 million babies born prematurely in 2019 were likely linked to air pollution. Eating meat has been linked to a rise in air pollution, and factory farms are one of the biggest to blame for our dirty air. According to the WHO, an estimated 4.2 million people every year are killed from outdoor air Pollution, and 99 percent of the global population breathes air that exceeds WHO guideline limits, with low and middle-income areas disproportionately affected. Check out these eco-artists that are using their art to call attention to the massive problem of air Pollution and sign the petition to demand federal clean-up of disproportionately affected polluted areas in the United States.

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