MAE HONG SON, March 18 — Illegal ‘slash and burn’ agriculture in Thailand’s North has worsened the air quality in this northern province where dust particles have reached the record level of 200 microgrammes per cubic metre, a health official said today.
Mae Hong Son health officer Paisal Tanyavinitkul said the smog and dust from forest fires has covered this northern province for over a week and the health office has provided 30,000 masks for distribution to people.
People have been told to wear masks when they leave homes and refrain from outdoor exercise, said the doctor.
An air quality survey by the Office of Natural Resources and Environment found 31 hot spots throughout Mae Hong Son, including the tourist town of Pai where an average 24-hour dust level was measured at 205 microgrammes.
Children and elderly people at risk at this dust level, according to the office. The standard level is 120 microgrammes.
During March 3-10, hospitals in Mae Hong Son treated 1,049 patients for heart and coronary artery diseases, and 923 people with respiratory diseases
