Northern provinces covered by excessive PM2.5 dust today

Many northern provinces are densely shrouded in PM2.5 dust today, exceeding the standard level of 37.5µg/m³ and reaching 255.1µg/m³ (microns) in Muang Na sub-district of Chiang Dao district in Chiang Mai province, the Air Pollution Response Communication Centre at the Pollution Control Department reported today.

Excessive PM2.5 airborne pollutants were detected in the provinces of Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nan, Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Uttaradit, Phitsanuloke, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Bueng Karn, Nong Khai, Loei, Nakhon Phanom, Sakhon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Roi-t, Amnart Charoen, Chaiyaphum, Yasothon, Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket.

In the north, today’s PM2.5 levels were measured at between 31.3 and 255.1µg/m³. Muang Na sub-district in Chiang Mai registered the highest at 255.1µg/m³, followed by 153.5µg/m³ in Wiang Pang Kham sub-district in Chiang Rai and 147.1µg/m³ in Lee sub-district of Lamphun province.

In the northeast, levels were measured from 29.7 to 84.3µg/m³. In central and western provinces, PM2.5 measured between 12.9µg/m³ and 36.4µg/m³ and in the east it was between 13.9µg/m³ and 39.4µg/m³.

Air quality in the south, meanwhile, is very good, with PM2.5 ranging between 10.5µg/m³ and 16.3µg/m³, below the standard level.

Air quality in Bangkok and its suburbs is also good. PM2.5 levels range from 12.4 to 28.3µg/m³.

As for the next seven days, the Centre reported that the air quality in Bangkok and its suburbs, central, western and eastern provinces will tend to improve, except for some areas where close monitoring is required.

The Centre warned, however, that the air pollution in 17 northern and northeastern provinces is set to worsen in the next seven days.

Conditions in the south are to remain good.