Chiang mai: Doctors have raised alarms over the potential health hazards posed by toxic dust in the region, warning that continuous exposure to pollutants could lead to a significant rise in health complications, including strokes and heart disease. Chiang Mai has recently been ranked as the second most polluted city in the world.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Waranyu Chamnongprasatporn, a Public Health Doctor in Chiang Mai Province, discussed the severe impact of PM2.5 air pollution on public health. Statistics from Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital indicate a 1.5-fold increase in cases of acute respiratory illnesses, eye irritation, and nosebleeds compared to normal levels. The PM2.5 pollutants, which are tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy, have the potential to exacerbate existing health issues such as stroke and heart disease. Alarmingly, they may also lead to new diseases in healthy individuals, with effects likened to those of smoking. To mitigate these risks, doctors advise avoiding outdoor activities and using N95 masks.
The city of Chiang Mai has been enveloped in thick smog, obscuring the view of Doi Suthep, a well-known local landmark, for several weeks. Levels of PM2.5 have surpassed health standards by significant margins. The CMU CCDC website reported that at 10:00 AM, PM2.5 levels reached 808 micrograms per cubic meter at Ban Pang Mayao, Ping Khong Subdistrict, in Chiang Dao District, which is more than 20 times the recommended standard. On this particular morning, Chiang Mai was ranked as the second most polluted city in the world by IQAir.
Efforts to combat the pollution are underway, with the Forward Operating Center of Region 3 monitoring the situation across 17 northern provinces. On the morning in question, 722 hotspots were identified in the northern region, with Chiang Mai recording the highest number at 163 points, followed closely by Mae Hong Son at 162 points. A significant portion of these hotspots, 465 points, were found in protected forest areas. Moreover, particulate matter levels have exceeded acceptable standards in all 17 provinces.
In response, the Royal Thai Army has deployed MI-17 helicopters to assist in wildfire suppression operations across northern Thailand. These helicopters are stationed at the 7th Infantry Division in Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province, as part of a wider aircraft deployment strategy. Joint operation planning is being carried out between the Army, the Air Force's wildfire control air support unit, and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Operations have already commenced in Li District, Lamphun Province, and Hod District, Chiang Mai Province. The Internal Security Operations Command in each province is also working in conjunction with military units to deploy fogging vehicles continuously to reduce dust pollution.