Bangkok's Battle Against Air Pollution

Bangkok, Thailand's capital, has been at the top of the list of polluted cities in the country. In 2024, the city's air pollution soared to unhealthy levels, prompting officials to order employees to work from home for two days. Bangkok's pollution is largely attributed to vehicle emissions, with diesel fumes from cars contributing 50-60% of the pollution. In 2019, the government took measures to address this issue by banning large trucks from entering downtown Bangkok during rush hours. Chiang Mai, Thailand's second-largest city, has also faced challenges with air pollution, particularly due to agricultural burning in the surrounding regions.

Bangkok's air pollution soared to unhealthy levels in 2024

Bangkok's air quality has long been a cause for concern, with the Thai capital topping the list of polluted cities in the country. In February 2024, Bangkok's air pollution soared to unhealthy levels, causing Thai authorities to take action.

Data from 12 of Bangkok's air monitors showed that children in the city breathed in air classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as unsafe or over 15 μg/m3 for 265 days of the year (70%). This is in contrast to other world capitals like London, where children were exposed to air pollution exceeding WHO guidelines for only seven days in 2023. The situation became so severe that authorities ordered government employees to work from home and urged others to do the same. Bangkok's governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, attributed the high levels of pollution to smoke haze, with residents complaining of itchy eyes and breathing difficulties.

The main sources of air pollution in Bangkok are crop-related burning, industrial pollution, and vehicle emissions. While crop burning was identified as the primary cause of the spike in pollution, vehicles also contributed significantly, with diesel fumes from cars contributing 50-60% of the pollution. To address this issue, the government has offered subsidies for farmers to prevent burning and provided packages for cheaper electric vehicles. Thai lawmakers are also considering a clean air act to regulate activities that contribute to pollution, including transportation, businesses, agriculture, and factories.

Bangkok's air pollution crisis is not an isolated incident in Thailand. The country has seen a rise in pollution-related illnesses, with over 10 million Thais seeking treatment in 2023. Widespread farm burning and forest fires, particularly in the north, create a noxious smog at the beginning of the year. To combat this, Thailand announced plans to deploy 30 aircraft for cloud seeding to induce rain and ease pollution.

While efforts are being made to improve air quality in Bangkok and across Thailand, the country continues to struggle with reducing pollution levels and protecting the health of its citizens, particularly children, who are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution.

The Thai government's efforts to combat pollution

Thailand has been facing a chronic issue of air pollution, which has been intensified by seasonal forest fires, agricultural practices, and traffic exhaust fumes. The Thai government has been making efforts to combat this issue and improve the air quality in the country.

One of the main initiatives of the Thai government has been to reduce emissions from major pollution sources. This includes implementing measures to remove old and polluting vehicles from the roads and enforcing the law on emission controls. The government has also banned large trucks from entering downtown Bangkok during rush hours. To empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and pollution exposure, the government has introduced technological solutions such as the "Air4Thai" mobile application, which provides real-time air quality and forecasting data.

In addition to these measures, the Thai government has also been collaborating with international organizations and experts to tackle air pollution issues. For example, AIT (an independent, international higher education institution in Asia) has been working with the Thai government and other organizations to address air pollution in Bangkok and beyond. Thailand has also pledged to share knowledge and experiences with Myanmar, focusing on satellite technology for fire hotspot monitoring and agricultural management under the "CLEAR Sky Strategy".

Furthermore, the Thai government has been working to raise public awareness about air pollution and its health impacts. This includes incorporating air pollution education into student curricula and raising awareness among the younger generation. The government has also distributed N95 masks to protect people against PM 2.5 dust in Bangkok, where pollution levels have reached unhealthy levels.

While the Thai government has been taking steps to combat air pollution, the effectiveness of these measures has been varied. Thailand's air quality is still considered to be worsening, and in 2023, more than 10 million Thais sought treatment for illnesses linked to air pollution. However, in some communities, the implementation of waste management practices, sustainable farming practices, and wildfire prevention initiatives has led to a marked decrease in pollution-related health issues.

The impact of agricultural burning on air quality

Bangkok, Thailand's capital, has been ranked as the most polluted city in the country. In 2019, Thailand was ranked as the 28th most polluted country out of 98 countries in IQAir's World Air Quality Report. While this ranking is not extremely high, Thailand's PM2.5 rating of 24.3 μg/m3 is twice the WHO's exposure recommendation and poses a moderate risk to health.

One of the main sources of air pollution in Bangkok is diesel fumes from cars, which contribute 50-60% of the pollution. Another significant contributor is the burning of rubbish and crops, which accounts for about 35% of air pollution. To address this issue, the government has implemented measures such as banning large trucks from entering downtown Bangkok during rush hours.

Agricultural burning is a widespread practice in many countries, including the United States, India, and China. It involves the burning of crop residues, such as wheat, rice, grass seed, soy, cotton, sugarcane, and corn, during the pre- and post-harvest seasons. This practice emits various pollutants into the atmosphere, including CH4, SOx, NOx, CO, CO2, and particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10).

To mitigate the impact of agricultural burning on air quality, several interventions have been proposed. In India, for example, targeted and low-cost interventions, such as burning crops two hours earlier, could significantly reduce the number of premature deaths and improve air quality. Additionally, the EPA in the United States has established guidelines for prescribed burning to minimize its impact on air quality and water quality. These guidelines include considerations for weather conditions, time of year, fuel types, and erosion prevention.

The effectiveness of wearing masks to protect against pollution

Bangkok, the Thai capital, has been ranked as one of the most polluted cities in the country. In 2019, the city resorted to firing water cannons into the air to combat air pollution. The city also distributed N95 masks to its residents, which can protect against PM 2.5 dust.

Wearing masks is a simple and effective way to protect oneself against air pollution. Public health agencies strongly recommend wearing anti-pollution masks, especially during airborne infectious disease outbreaks. Masks are highly effective in reducing exposure to air pollution and harmful airborne infections in high-risk environments, such as offices, classrooms, and grocery stores.

The best masks for protection against air pollution are those rated N95, KN95, or FFP2. These masks are highly effective against particle pollution and airborne infections when combined with a tight seal and adjustable straps. Basic cotton or fabric masks, while ineffective against particle pollution, can still provide some protection against large infected droplets when used with other measures like social distancing.

The effectiveness of masks depends on various factors, including the type of mask, the materials used, the load of pollutants, the size and characteristics of particles, and the face fit. For example, masks with exhaust valves can help with breathability but may release respiratory aerosols into the air when exhaling, potentially spreading infected particles.

While wearing masks can be an effective measure against air pollution, it is important to note that the most effective approach to mitigate traffic pollution, a significant source of air pollution, is to reduce vehicle usage.

The role of vehicles in contributing to air pollution

Bangkok, the Thai capital, has been described as the most polluted city in the country, with Chiang Mai, another major city, also experiencing high levels of pollution. Cars, trucks, and buses are major contributors to air pollution in Thailand. The Department of Pollution Control in Bangkok states that diesel fumes from cars contribute to 50-60% of the pollution, with burning rubbish and crops accounting for about 35%.

Cars, trucks, and buses powered by fossil fuels emit pollutants, predominantly carbon dioxide, that contribute to global climate change. Transportation emits more than half of the nitrogen oxides in the air and is a significant source of heat-trapping emissions. The exhaust fumes from these vehicles release soot, a type of particulate matter (PM), which poses a serious threat to human health as it can penetrate deep into the lungs. Diesel exhaust is a significant contributor to PM pollution.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are also emitted from cars, trucks, and buses. These pollutants react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight to form ground-level ozone, a primary ingredient in smog. While beneficial in the upper atmosphere, ground-level ozone irritates the respiratory system, causing coughing, choking, and reduced lung capacity. Furthermore, air pollutants emitted from cars are believed to cause cancer and contribute to other health issues such as asthma, heart disease, birth defects, and eye irritation.

Freight transportation is a significant contributor to air pollution and climate change. Trucks and buses play a vital role in hauling goods and transporting people, but they also negatively impact public health and global warming. Exposure to harmful PM air pollution is inequitable, with Asian Americans and Black people experiencing higher concentrations than the average person in the US.

To combat air pollution from vehicles, the Thai government has implemented measures such as banning large trucks from entering downtown Bangkok during rush hours and enforcing emission controls. However, these preventative measures are not always fully enforced, and polluting vehicles continue to operate.

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