January air quality in Chiang Mai sees huge improvement over last year

Chiang Mai deputy governor Thossapol Phuanudom said on Wednesday that the overall air quality in the northern province was improving, as can be seen from the 16.78% year-on-year drop in the number of patients suffering from respiratory diseases.

He said throughout January, PM2.5 levels in the province had exceeded the safety standard only on the January 25, at 37.9 microgram per cubic metre, while on the other days the air quality was within the safety limit of below 37.5 µg/m3 as a 24-hour average.

This contributes to a 95% improvement in overall air quality from the same period of the previous year, he added.

PM2.5 refers to dust particles 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, long-term exposure to which is linked with chronic diseases including lung and heart problems.

Being the most populous province and an economic hub of the northern region, Chiang Mai has been battling air pollution for several years. The pollution’s biggest sources include factory and traffic emissions, as well as the burning of agricultural wastes, both in Thailand and neighbouring countries. These burnings, as well as forest fires, can be detected as hot spots by satellites.

The Chiang Mai provincial administration issued a ban on burning of farm waste without permission from January 1 to April 30.

Farmers are now required to seek approval from the district office before they can burn their farm scrub. Once permission is received, the burning will have to be reported and monitored via an application called FireD.