BANGKOK (NNT) – Air quality in Bangkok and neighboring provinces has returned to normal after rain in recent days, which helped eliminate airborne particles. Latest air quality readings range from good to very good. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is to install and test run an air purifying tower situated below the Siam BTS Skytrain station on 8th October to gauge its effectiveness in PM 2.5 dust reduction.
The Governor of Bangkok, Pol Gen Asawin Kwanmuang announced today that the BMA had received an offer from a private company and Kasetsat University to operate the air purifying tower.
Tests will be conducted to measure the concentration of PM 2.5 airborne particulate matter in the area before and after the installation of the tower. The BMA will be seeking sponsorship from private companies to install more of these devices should the test prove their operational effectiveness. One company, the retail developer Siam Piwat, has already contacted the BMA to offer an air purification device.
“We will find locations for these devices, such as by the road and on walkways. We have to make sure an installed device doesn’t obstruct foot and road traffic. We have to manage these for the companies, which have confirmed with us they can get a suitable device from their supplier within 45 days. The device has been bought by them, not the BMA, but we will help find installation sites.”
At Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, the first hospital in Thailand operating a specialized pollution clinic opened earlier this year, the hospital director Somboon Tosborvorn said the hospital is prepared to screen patients affected from PM 2.5 dust during polluted period, who will be referred to the pollution clinic where specialized doctors will provide information and healthcare recommendations, as well as keeping track of the patients’ conditions. The clinic has treated 3 patients so far since the report of haze last week.
Meanwhile, the Department for Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) has held a seminar on healthcare practices preventing illnesses from PM 2.5 dust. In this seminar, a pharmacist from Chao Phraya Aphaiphubet Hospital Pakakrong Kwankhao said the consumption of some herbs such as Indian gooseberry and tumeric can help fight symptoms caused by PM 2.5 dust, while little ironweed can help improve lungs functionality; infused water from boiling laurel clockvine leaves can have detoxification properties but should not be consumed continuously for more than a month due to high cadmium content; as well as fresh green chiretta leaves which can help with common cold and alleviate inflammation and sore throat, but should be consumed only every 6-8 hours, with extra cautions for persons with cholecystitis.
The Pollution Control Department has updated the air quality data on air4thai.pcd.go.th website this morning, showing very good to moderate air quality in Bangkok and neighboring provinces. Some areas such as Bangkok Yai district was reported with no dust concentration, while some areas such as Din Daeng and Lak Si districts are reported with moderate air quality. In Saraburi province however, dust level in Na Phra Lan subdistrict today reached 113 microgram per cubic meter, making the air quality starting to cause health effects.
