A civic network in the northern provinces is stepping up calls for the government to adjust air quality guidelines to bring them in line with international standards and further the reduce health impact of seasonal air pollution.
Bannarot Buakhli, a member of the Breathe Council formed to solve the pollution crisis in the northern region, told an online discussion that the network will launch a campaign this month to lobby for new air quality guidelines.
The current air quality index for hazardous particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns, or PM2.5, is not in line with the international standard, so it does not truly reflect air pollution hazards and cannot protect people’s health, he said.
Mr Bannarot said the Thai air quality index shows PM2.5 levels of 76 microgrammes per cubic metre as within the “orange” category, or unhealthy for sensitive groups. However,…
