Nation’s most polluted air is in the North
Nation’s most polluted air is in the North
BANGKOK: — Residents of the North are facing a greater risk of lung cancer when compared with locals in other regions, according to statistics.
Currently, more than 40 new lung cancer patients are being diagnosed per 100,000 people in the North each year. In other regions, on average only 10 such patients were identified among 100,000 locals.
“This means the risk for northern residents is about four times higher,” Dr Phongtape Wiwatanadate said yesterday.
Besides teaching at the Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Medicine, Phongtape conducts research on air quality in the Chiang Mai – Lamphun basin.
His research in 2007 checked people’s health to determine whether they had symptom that could indicate respiratory problems. The findings showed more than 20 out of 25 people had the symptoms.
Phongtape believed small particulate particles were a problem to Chiang Mai’s air quality.
“Their presence affects people’s health because many people report having difficulty breathing and coughing,” he said.
So far, the amount of particulate particles smaller than 10 microns in Chiang Mai has not exceeded Thai authorities’ safety standards from last year.
According to Thai authorities, these dust particles will pose health risks only if their amount is over 120 micrograms per cubic metre of air.
“But in Europe, the safe level means there should be fewer than 50 micrograms per cubic metre of air,” Pongthep said.
