Around 100,000 choked by northern smog

TOURISTS and expats were amongst 100,000 people that fell ill last week due to northern Thailand’s annual smog with more to follow should the situation persist, a Public Health Ministry  spokesman said.

More than 150,000 face masks have been sent to Chiang Mai with 110,000 to Chiang Rai and another 250,000 to surrounding areas, claimed Deputy Public Health Minister Pansiri Kulnartsiri  yesterday.

She added that the number of patients treated at 19 northern hospitals had been rising steadily since January and that 96,040 people required treatment last week.

Heart disease has been the biggest concern followed by respiratory problems, and hospitals in the eight districts have started to prepare for a greater influx of the affected.

Tourists staying around Chiang Mai have been advised to wear a face mask and follow pollution reports daily. If no face mask can be found then a damp cloth over the nose and mouth could be substituted.

Fine particles in air now exceeds the permitted 120 micrograms per cubic metre in Thailand, with European legislation demanding much stricter quality.