Air pollution: The overlooked disaster
Created By RISC | 1 month ago
Are we overlooking something?
In winter, along with cooler temperatures come particulates, which affect our health. The ground becomes cooler than the atmosphere above, trapping particles inside an "inversion layer".
Air pollution is a leading global problem we cannot ignore. More than 7 million people die each year from air pollution, making it one of the 8 top causes of death worldwide. In Thailand, the main particulate issue we face is PM2.5. These tiny particles cause over 22,000 premature deaths, according to Greenpeace research, with a huge impact on health and the economy. Bangkok was the most affected city last year, followed by Chiang Mai.
The Pollution Control Department lists the sources of Bangkok’s particulates this year as:
- 72.5% from traffic (especially 144,630 trucks and 99,652 diesel vehicles)
- 17% from industry
- 5% from agriculture and field burning
- 5.5% from other sources
Reducing pollution requires action on vehicles, industry, and field burning. Thailand also has initiatives to tackle particulates such as...
- Increasing the potential of area-based management (emergency and crisis solutions)
- Pollution reduction and prevention from sources (2019-21 and 2022-24 plans)
- Increasing the potential of pollution management (2019-21 and 2022-24 plans)
In the next post, we’ll look at how different countries are tackling their air pollution.
Information: WHO, Pollution Control Department, Greenpeace, NGThai
Author/Editor: Phetcharin Phongphetkul, Sustainable Designer, RISC
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