PCD joins hands with US agency to develop air quality forecasting using space technology

The Mekong Air Quality Explorer (http://aqatmekong-servir.adpc.net/en/mapviewer/) will serve as a tool for managing air pollution problems through its partnership with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), Servir-Mekong, and Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) to implement dust solutions under the National Agenda Steering Action Plan.
PCD director-general Atthapol Charoenchansa said the air quality monitoring and forecasting system would help report the air quality in Thailand. Information was computed from Nasa's three-hour satellite data and mathematical modelling system to enhance the nationwide coverage of PM2.5 dust mass along with a three-day forecast in conjunction with the operation of GISTDA, the main Thai agency that develops satellite data systems, to monitor PM2.5 sources, heat points, combustion areas, and the direction of dust, including the spatial spreading behaviour of PM2.5 dust both in the country and around the country hourly. This will enable timely advice for people in the area to prepare and prevent health impacts. It is also a data support tool for the "Burn Check" application to register fuel management in agricultural areas.
He added that the cooperation in technology development would focus on preventing and solving the problem of PM2.5 dust by using modern tools, technology, and knowledge from all relevant sectors to integrate the solution for PM2.5 dust problem with sustainable efficiency.