THE week has barely started but Chiang Mai is already making international headlines as the fourth most polluted city in the world.
At least 11 provinces were categorized under the red code which means the particulate matter was ranked at seriously harmful levels including Chiang Mai.
Fine particles in the air are so small that they can travel deeply into the respiratory tract and reach the lungs, causing short-term health effects such as eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath, according to the New York State’s Department of Health.
The news came a few days after Bangkok and Chiang Mai joined the list of the top ten most polluted cities worldwide.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited Chiang Mai in March to check the measures enforced by local officials to tackle air pollution. The prime mover warned to take strict government measures if the problem persists.
Forest fires and the burning of agricultural waste are among the major contributors to choking pollution in the country. Thailand’s Cabinet endorsed the Clean Air Act aimed at improving air quality in the country in January.
