Air Pollution and Health Impact in Thailand

摘要

Thailand is facing to air pollution from traffic, biomass burning and other sources that constitute a major threat to human health. However, the adverse health impacts and underlying mechanisms of different air pollutants are not clearly understood. Particulate matter has been observed in high concentration in many places, including Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. Our study used the secondary data of particulate matter from automatic monitoring stations located in Bangkok operated by the Pollution Control Department and health related data from Ministry of Public Health during the same period. The particulate matter data are available for PM2.5 and PM10, although PM2.5 monitoring only commenced in 2011. We found that average PM2.5 concentrations in Bangkok have decreased from 41.5 to 18.5 ug/m3 between 2011 and 2017. However, during a haze episode in Bangkok the daily concentration of PM2.5 and/or PM10 were over the ambient air quality standard; the average ratio of PM2.5/PM10 was 0.6. In addition, human exposure was measured among groups of people in Bangkok by using MicroPem monitors with associated the time activity data. The results indicated that PM2.5 exposure in residential and working spaces were less than outdoor exposure levels. These data will be used in a Health Impact Assessment in different regions of Thailand with various proposed future scenarios involving mitigation measures.