Dust particles reach hazardous level in the North

LAMPANG, March 6 (TNA) – The level of particulate matter was on the rise to hit the harmful levels in some northern provinces. Director of the Environment Division, Chiang Mai’s Natural Resources and Environment Office, Somkid Panyadee, said that the smog situation in many northern provinces is worrying, particularly the increase of the level of particulate matter, smaller than 10 microns (PM10). In Chiang Mai, he said the PM10 measurement is at 122 microgrammes per cubic metre of air, exceeding the safety limit of 120 microgrammes per cubic metre of air. The province bans outdoor burning for 51 days from March to April 20. However, more than 300 hotspots have been detected in forest areas, higher than those in the same period last year. In Lampang, the air quality monitoring station reports the level fine particulate matter beyond the safety standard in Mae Mo district at 229 microgrammes per cubic metre of air and in Lampang’s provincial seat at 198 microgrammes per cubic metre of air, potentially hazardous to health. Vulnerable groups such as small children, the elderly and persons with respiratory diseases should wear face masks when they go outside, he added. (TNA)