5 March 2019, Bangkok - Air pollution remains a significant challenge affecting the health of urban populations especially in and around Bangkok but now also in major cities such as Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen. The Research & Innovation for Sustainability Center (RISC), the research arm of Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC), is dedicated to raising quality of life and finding wqys to curbing pollution. RISC therefore hosted and joined a two-stage discussion on solving PM2.5 pollution held at its headquarters on the 4th Floor of Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard (MRB).

Thailand Global Warming Academy of Napamitr Foundation (TGWA), RISC, and the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation jointly held the first stage on the 11th TGWA public forum on ‘New Information – PM2.5 Air Pollution in Thailand, January 2019’. The 6 speakers were Prof. Dr Thanawat Jarupongsakul, President of TGWA; Asst. Prof. Dr Surat Bualert, Dean of the Faculty of Environment at Kasetsart University; Assoc. Prof. Dr Pisut Painmanakul, committee member for the National Strategy for Environmentally Friendly Growth for Sustainable Development OR Creating Growth on the Quality of Life that is Eco-Friendly; Assoc. Prof. Dr Singh Intrachooto, Chief Advisor of RISC and Head of the Creative Center for Eco-Design at Kasetsart University; Ms Bussarasiri Thana, a specialist from the Meteorological Department, TGWA; and Dr Ammarin Daranpob Assistant Vice President Digital Lab, Office of the President to Loxley Public Company Limited.

Prof. Dr Thanawat said: “The Pollution Control Department’s air quality inspection shows that dust levels are highest between 7pm and 6am, especially during weekends and holidays. The main reason is the behaviour of people in each area and dust quantity increases with height. People who live in high–rise buildings without indoor air purifiers are therefore at risk of receiving PM2.5 into their bodies. The government should immediately include a project to solve air pollution among the urgent initiatives in the national strategic master plan.”

Asst. Prof. Dr Surat said that PM2.5 pollution is caused by sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons from incomplete combustion from vehicles, and heat from road traffic. The issue could be solved by building a tree line 10 meters deep to protect from sound and dust, he said. The trees would also create a difference in temperature raising winds that brings dust to the ground.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Singh underlined the importance of measuring air quality and PM2.5 pollution that affects public health.

“As Bangkok has many buildings, installing weather stations at various locations is crucial for air quality awareness. How air quality changes with altitude must be considered when constructing buildings and the installation of indoor air purifiers must be mandatory. Planting trees in cities to increase green area also raises air quality.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr Pisut presented engineering projects in air quality and dust measurement and urban design projects that create good ventilation, including the use of sensors to gather air quality measurements across a range of areas.

The second stage of the brainstorming session covered design for solving PM2.5 pollution. Experts taking part included Ms Bussarasiri Thana, a specialist from the Meteorological Department, TGWA; Mr Yossapol Boonsom, architect; Mr Atthaporn Khobkongsanti, architect; ML Varut Voravarn, architect; Assoc. Prof. Dr Singh Intrachooto, Chief Advisor of RISC and Head of the Creative Center for Eco-Design at Kasetsart University; Mr Rath Prensook, architect and designer; Assoc. Prof. Dr Jittisak Thammapornpilas, an urban planner at the Faculty of Architecture in Chulalongkorn University; Dr Wasan Phatathikorm, Senior Researcher Intelligent Transportation and Traffic Research Laboratory; Dr Jain Charnnarong, Executive Director of Harn Engineering Solutions; and Dr Ammarin Daranpob, Advisor of Loxley Public Company Limited. The session was conducted by Mr Jeremiah Pitakwong, Managing Director of Amarin Printing and Publishing.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Jittisak said an organization or institution should be responsible for measuring pollution and perform it in a formal way with effective solutions, as measurement remains inconsistent.

Dr Ammarin presented pollution measurement through dynamic light scattering (DLS), which is a technique for measuring particles smaller than 5 micrometers.

“Another important source of dust is garbage disposal through pouring it on land or landfill, without burying it, which causes particles to be carried by the wind, causing dust problems. The government should provide knowledge to the public on proper waste management to prevent these problems,” he said.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Singh Intrachooto said: “PM2.5 pollution is a problem caused by transport in our country, by how we use cars and our industrial production. We should also pay more attention to and increase green space in Bangkok to create clean air for our city.”

It was proposed at the seminar to have an areas in front of a condominium where trees could be planted of 12 meters (up from 6 meters) for condominiums and there was also a recommendation to increase footpaths and bicycle use to reduce traffic density problems.

PM2.5 pollution calls for cooperation between the government and the private sector to tackle the country’s air quality issues in a continuous and sustainable manner.