BANGKOK (NNT) – Following an increase PM 2.5 fine airborne dust, City Hall has installed air quality measuring stations in all 50 Bangkok districts and reintroduced measures aimed at limiting air pollution.
The Governor of Bangkok Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang disclosed today that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had called a meeting on the mitigation of an expected surge in air pollution, particularly PM 2.5 particles.
He said air quality measuring stations are now operational in all 50 Bangkok districts to provide real-time air quality reports to the general public, with 20 more stations to be installed in large parks in the city within the next month to inform people exercising in the park.
City Hall has coordinated with the Traffic Police Division to issue a ban on 6-wheeler trucks or larger vehicles from operations in Bangkok between 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., from 1st December 2020 until the end of February next year to help reduce air pollution. This measure is expected to help reduce airborne particles by 39 percent.
Educational institutions will be asked to refrain from holding outdoor activities from December this year through to February next year. Schools may be closed if necessary, when the air quality index reaches and stays at an unhealthy level for more than three consecutive days.
Working hours of BMA employees will be in shifts or staggered to help reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
The average PM 2.5 levels in Bangkok over the past 24 hours did not exceed the standard level in all areas, with air quality measured at good to very good by BMA-owned measuring stations.
