Glasseye Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 Keep the air cleaner on 24/7. Keep the A/c systems on, clean them regularly. Stay indoors as much as possible. And don't ever expect things to change much. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazle Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 If anyone wonders about the effects of haze (air pollution), this article is a good explanation IMO: https://www.mountelizabeth.com.sg/health-plus/article/the-effects-of-haze-on-your-health What is the health effect of haze? Haze particles can give rise to acute symptoms such as cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and a feeling of tiredness and weakness. The effect of haze is aggravated in people with pre-existing heart or lung disorders. However, the harmful health effects of a few minutes of haze exposure are temporary and usually do not lead to long-term health issues. The biggest hazard of the haze is the fine particulate matter (PM) suspended in the air. Particulate matter, especially those of PM2.5 can easily be inhaled into our lungs. This refers to particles that are smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter. Long-term exposure to the haze and particulate matter can lead to the development of medical conditions such as bronchitis and a higher incidence of lung cancer. Thus it is best to stay indoors during hazy situations when the PSI is at unhealthy levels. If you have to go outdoors for long periods, an N95 mask can help reduce your inhalation of particulate matter. Those at highest risk of being affected by the haze should remain indoors. These are people with pre-existing heart or lung disorders as exposure to air pollution is known to worsen these conditions. Likewise, children and the elderly who have smaller lung reserves should avoid prolonged exposure to the haze. What symptoms can the haze cause? Exposure to the haze can lead to symptoms of bronchitis. These symptoms can be just like symptoms of asthma – wheezing, cough, chest discomfort and shortness of breath. If the symptoms are severe, you should consult a doctor immediately. If symptoms are mild, they may abate or resolve with rest (indoors) and avoidance of the haze. Fine particles are matter foreign to the body (they are like microscopic soot particles). Inhaling the haze is like inhaling smoke – irritation of the sensitive lining within the nose and throat occurs. Symptoms tend to get more serious when the irritation occurs deeper than the nose and throat, especially when the lower air passages (trachea and bronchi) are affected. What should people with asthma or other respiratory illnesses do during the haze period? If your symptoms are mild and you are healthy, simply avoiding the haze by staying indoors with the windows and doors shut, and turning on an effective air purifier should be sufficient. If your symptoms are more serious or you are unsure how badly you are affected, it is best to consult with a physician. It is not advisable to self-medicate or use inhalers that you are not familiar with. For example, Seretide is an asthma medication that contains steroids and a long-acting bronchodilator medication. It is a prescription-only medication that is not without adverse effects and it should not be tried without proper medical advice. Should I exercise outdoors during the haze period? Exercising outdoors when the PSI is in the unhealthy range (ie. 100 or more) is counter-productive. The higher the PSI, the more harmful it is to inhale the polluted air when exercising. Note that when you are exercising, you have to breathe harder and the air exchange that takes place in the lungs is several times more than when you are at rest. Therefore, you are inhaling several times more of the air pollution. Breathing more pollutants into the lungs is in a way negating the beneficial effects of exercise. The most harmful pollutants – the PM2.5 particles can be taken very deep into the lungs and it is difficult for the respiratory system to expel or break down these pollutants. In addition, particles of PM1 are known to bypass the lungs and travel straight into the blood circulation where they can be carried to other organs (such as the brain) with harmful effects. How long can a healthy person tolerate the haze without harm? Every individual is different in size, age and health so it is not possible to say how long a person can tolerate the haze. When the haze level is in the unhealthy range (PSI higher than 100), it is prudent for everyone to avoid outdoor activities. Can the haze do long-term harm to our health? Usually the harmful effects of a few minutes of haze exposure are temporary and do not lead to long-term health issues. However, in studies performed in the US and Europe, there was found to be a definite relationship between air pollution and cardiovascular and lung cancer death. The smaller PM2.5 were particularly deadly, with 36% increase in lung cancer rate for every increase of 10 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic metre. Clearly then – clean air, just like good health, is invaluable. I think that it's best to avoid air pollution especially when the PSI is very unhealthy. In short, there is no 'safe' level of air pollution. The lower it is, the better for your long-term health. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yessongs Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 In the burbs where we are at.. MinBuri, Bangkok air quality index (AQI) forecast Today Moderate 95AQI US 60% 34°26° 21.6 km/h Sunday, Feb 4 Moderate 95AQI US 34°26° 18 km/h Monday, Feb 5 Moderate 87AQI US 36°26° 18 km/h Tuesday, Feb 6 Moderate 72AQI US 34°25° 18 km/h Wednesday, Feb 7 Moderate 70AQI US 34°25° 21.6 km/h Thursday, Feb 8 Moderate 75AQI US 34°25° 18 km/h Friday, Feb 9 Moderate 77AQI US 35°24° 14.4 km/h Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stillearly Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 Pattaya has also been much better the last two days 👍 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boydeste Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 4 hours ago, Stillearly said: Pattaya has also been much better the last two days 👍 Both Bkk and Pattaya are down in the 70 to 80s today. Still not great, but way better than in the red at 150 plus. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazle Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 https://thepattayanews.com/2024/02/05/chonburi-authorities-launch-campaign-to-tackle-forest-fires-haze-and-pm2-5/ Chonburi Authorities Launch Campaign to Tackle Forest Fires, Haze, and PM2.5 Following a recent spate of forest fires causing damage to over 200 rais and exceeding PM2.5 standards, Chonburi province has launched a multi-agency campaign to prevent further fires, control haze, and reduce harmful fine particulate matter. According to reports, Chonburi’s diverse landscape, including forests, agricultural land, urban centers, and industrial estates, makes it particularly vulnerable to PM2.5 issues, especially when exacerbated by forest fires. Recognizing this, the campaign outlines collaborative efforts to minimize environmental impact and protect public health by reducing emissions from vehicles and introducing educational demonstrations. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasseye Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 3 hours ago, Bazle said: https://thepattayanews.com/2024/02/05/chonburi-authorities-launch-campaign-to-tackle-forest-fires-haze-and-pm2-5/ Chonburi Authorities Launch Campaign to Tackle Forest Fires, Haze, and PM2.5 Following a recent spate of forest fires causing damage to over 200 rais and exceeding PM2.5 standards, Chonburi province has launched a multi-agency campaign to prevent further fires, control haze, and reduce harmful fine particulate matter. According to reports, Chonburi’s diverse landscape, including forests, agricultural land, urban centers, and industrial estates, makes it particularly vulnerable to PM2.5 issues, especially when exacerbated by forest fires. Recognizing this, the campaign outlines collaborative efforts to minimize environmental impact and protect public health by reducing emissions from vehicles and introducing educational demonstrations. Good luck with that. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forcebwithu Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 LOL, the latest govt recommendation for reducing air pollution. Thai Government Wants People to Reduce Incense Burning for Chinese New Year to Stop Air Pollution "The Deputy Government Spokesperson publicly stated that the Thai government was concerned about the health problems from PM 2.5 smoke on a concerning level. To reduce small dust particles in the atmosphere and protect the environment, the Thai government asked to reduce the use of incense and to use electric incense instead." 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fygjam Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 (edited) 4 minutes ago, forcebwithu said: LOL, the latest govt recommendation for reducing air pollution. Thai Government Wants People to Reduce Incense Burning for Chinese New Year to Stop Air Pollution "The Deputy Government Spokesperson publicly stated that the Thai government was concerned about the health problems from PM 2.5 smoke on a concerning level. To reduce small dust particles in the atmosphere and protect the environment, the Thai government asked to reduce the use of incense and to use electric incense instead." The broad brush, big picture view of the problem. I wonder if they have any plans for the rest of the year. Edited February 8 by fygjam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john luke Posted February 9 Author Share Posted February 9 Taken this morning. No post-processing . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Streak Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 CURRENT AIR QUALITY FRIDAY 2/9 61 AQI Poor The air has reached a high level of pollution and is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Reduce time spent outside if you are feeling symptoms such as difficulty breathing or throat irritation. Based on Current Pollutants Learn more at Current Pollutants Air Quality Scale Over the past hour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazle Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 https://www.facebook.com/nbtworld NNT- National News Bureau of Thailand The Ministry of Interior, through the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, reveals three strategic approaches to address issues related to forest fires, haze, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution 1. Pollution Reduction at the Source: Collaboration between districts and local administrative organizations is emphasized to prevent and reduce pollution at the source (origin). Authorities with legal responsibilities are directed to enforce laws rigorously. 2. Public Awareness Campaign: Prioritizing proactive communication to inform and raise awareness among the public regarding the prevailing situation and the causes of particulate matter. Encouraging public involvement to collectively prevent and alleviate pollution issues in the area. 3. Emergency Response to Forest Fires, Haze, or Elevated PM2.5 Levels: Implementing various precautionary measures. Prioritizing the safety of personnel involved. Establishing safe zones and dust-free rooms adequately. Providing assistance in accordance with relevant regulations and strict, transparent criteria. Additionally, to prevent hazards during the Chinese New Year festivities in 2024, provinces, districts, and local administrative organizations are instructed to inspect communities with fire-prone materials, especially those involving the production and trade of floral decorations. The emphasis is on increasing vigilance in production processes to minimize potential risks to life and property. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Streak Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 air pollution level Air quality index Main pollutants moderate ............... 83 US AQItrend....... PM2.5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john luke Posted February 10 Author Share Posted February 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forcebwithu Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 Today's AQI stands at 92 and what that looks like from near the top of Soi Khao Noi. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasseye Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 2 minutes ago, forcebwithu said: Today's AQI stands at 92 and what that looks like from near the top of Soi Khao Noi. It's starting to roll in here. Don't know the number (I'm kind of afraid to even look). Fortunately I'm getting out of Dodge for a few weeks soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Streak Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 Today Moderate 80 AQI US Human face indicating AQI level Weather icon 80% 32° 24° Wind rotating 69 degree 25.2 km/h Monday, Feb 12 Moderate 73 AQI US Human face indicating AQI level Weather icon 31° 25° Wind rotating 70 degree 25.2 km/h Tuesday, Feb 13 Moderate 74 AQI US Human face indicating AQI level Weather icon 30° 25° Wind rotating 221 degree 21.6 km/h Wednesday, Feb 14 Moderate 76 AQI US Human face indicating AQI level Weather icon 30° 25° Wind rotating 222 degree 18 km/h Thursday, Feb 15 Moderate 73 AQI US Human face indicating AQI level Weather icon 30° 26° Wind rotating 209 degree 21.6 km/h Friday, Feb 16 Moderate 64 AQI US Human face indicating AQI level Weather icon 50% 30° 26° Wind rotating 194 degree 21.6 km/h Saturday, Feb 17 Moderate 62 AQI US Human face indicating AQI level Weather icon 40% 29° 26° Wind rotating 189 degree 25.2 km/h Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john luke Posted February 12 Author Share Posted February 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasseye Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 My "air filter" is working overtime ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forcebwithu Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 Doesn't look that bad out there, but looks can be deceiving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasseye Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 26 minutes ago, forcebwithu said: Doesn't look that bad out there, but looks can be deceiving. Getting ugly. I'm really noticing it today. Hacking more than usual. Went out early today around 0800. The stench in the air hit me instantly. Fcuk ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john luke Posted February 14 Author Share Posted February 14 In terms of visibility, this is as bad as it has been in recent days. Photographs above and directly below this text are looking towards Wongamat Beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maipenrai Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 Oops, looks like I posted in the wrong thread this morning - here's the view from Jomtien this morning, you can even smell it: 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stillearly Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 55 down here in Samui 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forcebwithu Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 Pics from about 45 minutes ago. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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