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Published on January 10, 2008

Air pollution in Bangkok and nearby areas has reached a dangerous level, Pollution Control Department director-general Supat Wangwongwatana said yesterday.

Air-quality tests conducted over the past two days showed the average amount of dust par-ticles smaller than 10 microns stood at 149 micrograms per cubic metre in Bangkok's Din Daeng district and 120 micro-grams per cubic metre in Bang Khunthien.

The department stipulates that small dust particles be no more than 120 micrograms per cubic metre, or the air is rated as unsafe.

"The dust particles also exceeded the acceptable limit in Saraburi, Samut Prakan, Ayutthaya, Ratchaburi and Samut Sakhon," Supat said.

The tests found the average amount of dust particles small-er than 10 microns was as high as 280 micrograms per cubic metre in Saraburi, 168 micro-grams in Samut Prakan, 144 micrograms in Ayutthaya, 127 micrograms in Ratchaburi, and 123 micrograms in Samut Sakhon.

Supat said there were also many times last year when the amount of ozone rose higher than the accepted limit.

"Such incidences were recorded in Saraburi, Rayong, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Ratchaburi, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Sakhon and Bangkok," he said.

Supat said ozone came from volatile organic compounds, which were generated by petrol stations, metal-coating facto-ries, plants where electronic items were made, and restaurants where food was grilled.

 Janjira Pongrai

 The Nation