Most of Bangkok choked by excessive PM2.5 dust this morning

Air pollution, measured at 43 locations in Bangkok this morning, has reached the ‘orange’ level (harmful to health), due to poor circulation trapping airborne pollutants, the Air Quality Information Centre of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported today.

PM2.5 in Bangkok ranges between 32.9µg/m³ and 51.5µg/m³.

The ten areas with most PM2.5 pollutants are:

1. Khlong Sam Wa, 51.5µg/m³

2. Nong Chok, 50.2µg/m³

3. Lat Krabang, 49.1µg/m³

4. Prawet, 49.1µg/m³

5. Min Buri, 48.4µg/m³

6. Kanna Yao, 47.0µg/m³

7. Bueng Kum, 46.7µg/m³

8. Nong Khaem, 46.4µg/m³

9. The Queen Sirikit 60th Anniversary Park, 45.5µg/m³

10. Phasi Charoen, 45.2µg/m³

The Air Quality Information Centre reports that the current cool conditions across Thailand have resulted in poor air circulation, causing ‘inversions’ which trap PM2.5 dust, and that the air quality from now until Sunday will fluctuate from good to bad on a 24 to 48-hour cycle.

The BMA has recently introduced revised working from home guidelines. If airborne pollution in the capital reaches the ‘orange’ level in 15 locations, or the ‘red’ level in five, it will issue an advisory for private businesses and government offices to allow their staff to work from home (where practicable).