North gripped by worsening haze

Published on March 16, 2013 by TFP   ·   No Comments

BANGKOK, 16 March 2013 – Dust particles in most northern provinces have exceeded the safe level for days, raising concerns for health authorities in the region.

The Pollution Control Department announced that the level of dust particles smaller than 10 microns (PM10) in a number of provinces in the North, including Chiang Mai, Lampang and Mae Hong Son, was measured at up to 157 microgrammes per cubic metre.

In Chiang Mai, over 20 forest fires in 9 districts have been reported, damaging about 175 rai of land. Many forest fires were reportedly started in protected land.

Provincial authorities have urged local residents to refrain from engaging in burning activities of any kind as increasingly high levels of small dust particles are detected in many areas.

So far, high levels of haze have gripped several northern provinces, hampering visibility and causing health problems. Poor visibility at Mae Hong Son Airport has earlier forced Nok Air to cancel and delay its flights. Over 2,000 cases of respiratory illnesses, heart disease and skin conditions have been reported in the North since the crisis began and the number is expected to rise.

(NNT: Orapa Chueyprasit)

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/03/16/north-gripped-by-worsening-haze/