What is PM 2.5?
PM 2.5 is a small dust of not more than 2.5 microns, compared to about 1 in 25 parts of the human hair diameter. So small that the human nose’s hair that acts as a dust filter cannot be filtered Therefore spread into the respiratory tract, bloodstream and into other ages in the body. The dust is transported by other substances such as cadmium, mercury, heavy metals and other carcinogens.
Causes of PM2.5
Dust of no more than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) comes from two large sources:
Direct sources include burning in the open air. Transportation, electricity generation, manufacturing industry
Combining other gases in the atmosphere, especially sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), as well as other toxic substances Which are harmful to the human body such as mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (as) or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Severity level of PM 2.5
The World Health Organization (WHO) requires PM 2.5 dust to be placed in group 1 of carcinogens. Together with the World Bank report that Thailand has died from air pollution as much as 50,000, resulting in an economic system. Including the cost that the state has to lose in connection with the cost of medical treatment from this air pollution
Criteria of Air Quality Index
For people who do not know when air quality is becoming a health hazard Can check the Air Quality Index (AQI) at the Pollution Control Department website Thailand divides the air quality index into 5 levels from 0 to 201 using color as a comparison of the level of health effects.
| AQI | air quality | color that uses | warning messages |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 25 | Very good | blue | Suitable for outdoor and tourism activities. |
| 26 – 50 | Good | green | Can do outdoor activities and travel as usual. |
| 51 – 100 | Moderate | yellow | Can do outdoor activities as usual. But if a person who needs special health care If there are respiratory symptoms And irritate the eyes Should not do long outdoor activities. |
| 101 – 200 | starts to have an impact on health. | orange | Should monitor health. If there are symptoms of respiratory irritation, eye irritation, should not do long outdoor activities. Or use protective equipment For those who need special health care Already have health symptoms such as coughing, dyspnea, eye inflammation, chest tightness, headache, irregular heart beat, nausea, weakness, should consult a doctor 201 or more, with red health effects, everyone should avoid all outdoor activities, avoid areas with high air pollution Or use self-protection equipment if necessary If there is a health condition, consult a doctor. |
| 201 or more | health effects | red | Everyone should avoid all outdoor activities, avoid areas with high air pollution Or use self-protection equipment if necessary If there is a health condition, consult a doctor. |
Prevention guidelines
Wear a dust mask. The mask that can prevent PM 2.5 dust is N95 masks, or can be used with a normal medical mask, but can be worn over 2 layers or stacked handkerchiefs or tissue inside as well.
Avoid all kinds of outdoor activities. If necessary, insert the N95 mask.
Use an air purifier Because the inside of the building may not always be safe from PM 2.5, especially the buildings that have closed doors often due to the large number of people entering Therefore, the air purifier is necessary to breathe in the building comfortably. Do not forget to try Windmee to know about house ventilation.
