Bangkok’s fine dust problem starts to ease: Health Minister

BANGKOK, Feb 14 (TNA) - The ultra-fine air dust in the capital starts to drop from today as the changing weather pattern will allow more air flow, said the Public Health Minister. Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, Public Health Permanent Secretary Jessada Chokdamrongsuk and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Wijarn Simachaya told a press conference about the fine dust situation in the capital that according the meteorological department the air pollutant will be able to float higher to about 4-5 kilometres from today onwards after it was earlier trapped at three kilometres above the ground due to the cold and moist since late last month. The particulate matter is also aggravated by the use of 10 million cars on Bangkok’s roads. People with heart and respiratory diseases are advised to wear N95 face masks or towel soaked with water when they enter high pollutant areas, however, healthy persons should not be panic, he said. Meanwhile, during the Chinese New Year, Thais of Chinese descent will worship ancestors tomorrow (Feb 15). He advised them to burn little joss paper, use short joss sticks. They are instructed not to pour water into the burning pots, which causes incomplete combustion and releases of very small particles into the air. Deputy Permanent Secretary for Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Suwanna Jungrungrueng said that to address the particulate matter problem, the BMA are cleaning the road surface everyday in six areas where the air monitoring stations showed high levels of fine dust. She said there are currently more than 100 construction projects in the capital. She said after construction of electric train route extension finish in 2029, the number of cars will likely drop. The BMA also plans to implement the even and odd date rule to limit the number of cars and curb pollution in the city. The Department of Pollution Control today reports that six air monitoring stations showed PM2.5 level exceed the safe standard of 50 microgramme per cubic metre of air. Six stations are located in Bang-na, Wang Thong Lang, Rama4 Road in Pathumwan, Intharapitak Road in Thon Buri, Lat Phrao Road, and Phraya Thai Road in Rachathewi district. (TNA)