The Medical Services Department is advising parents to avoid taking young children outdoors due to the excessive levels of PM2.5 dust in the atmosphere of many areas of Bangkok and its suburbs.
Dr. Weerawut Imsamran, deputy director-general of the department, said that PM2.5 dust affects the health of all people, but especially children with respiratory problems, who may develop breathing difficulties, a runny nose, sore throat or nasal inflammation when exposed.
He also warned that prolonged exposure of small children to PM2.5 pollution may affect their mental development and lead to serious lung diseases and even lung cancer.
Meanwhile, Dr. Akarathan Jitnuyanont, director of the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, suggests that, if it is necessary to take young children outdoors, parents must make sure that the children wear N95 face masks and are given a nasal rinse…
