Bangkok air quality slips as temperature drops
Bangkok's air quality is seeing deterioration with the arrival of winter, making the health of sensitive groups vulnerable, the latest readings show.
The Air Visual application reported on Sunday that Bangkok’s air pollution level, according to the US Air Quality Index (AQI) standard, stood at 111, with the level of particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter (PM2.5) at 39.5 per cubic metre (µg/m3). Bangkok ranks 31st on the list of cities with the worst air quality in the world.
AQI is a standard that indicates the quality of air and level of pollution. Level 0-50 is good air quality, 51-100 is moderate quality, 101-105 starts affecting sensitive groups, 151-200 is slightly harmful to health, 201-300 is highly harmful and 301-500 is extremely dangerous.
Meanwhile, the Pollution Control Department reported that the air quality in Bangkok and its perimeter is currently fluctuating between very good to moderate with PM2.5 at around 32-72µg/m3 detected by 69 air quality stations, increasing from last week by 10 units. Thailand's safety limit for PM2.5 is 50µg/m3, while the safety limit for AQI is 100.
As of Sunday, the five cities with the worst air quality were: 1. Delhi, India 396; 2. Lahore, Pakistan 330; 3. Shenyang, China 188; 4. Chengdu, China 176; 5. Wrocław, Poland 166.
The cities with the best air quality were: 1. Paris, France and Tashkent, Uzbekistan 1; 2.Melbourne, Australia 2; 3. Salt Lake City, US 3; 4. Skopje, North Macedonia 8; 5. Portland, United States 13.
