Air quality in Nong Bua Lamphu

Does Nong Bua Lamphu have poor air quality?

With current air pollution readings coming in quite high towards the end of the year in 2021, Nong Bua Lamphu can be said to have air quality conditions that can rise to levels that cause many adverse health effects amongst its population and visitors, some of which will be discussed in the following questions. In late December of 2021, a US AQI reading of 111 was taken, placing Nong Bua Lamphu into the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' bracket, one that indicates that the air quality may be detrimental to certain people, and can still cause some issues amongst even healthy individuals. Other readings on the US AQI scale have gone as high as 152 and 160, placing Nong Bua Lamphu into the 'unhealthy' rating bracket, color-coded as red and indicating that there would be significant amounts of smoke and hazardous ultrafine (as well as larger) particles in the air. As such, whilst Nong Bua Lamphu will not have such elevated levels of pollution for the whole year (refer to the last question in the article for more information regarding the most polluted months), it is certainly seeing unhealthy levels in December which will likely continue onwards into 2022.

What health problems can be attributed to air pollution exposure in Nong Bua Lamphu?

Health problems that can occur during higher pollution episodes in Nong Bua Lamphu include irritation to the throat, lungs and generally the whole respiratory tract, which can easily turn into infections of the affected areas. Skin conditions can occur from smoke and haze exposure, including conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. Further conditions include those that fall under the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) bracket, which includes illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, as well as emphysema. Other more serious health issues include arrhythmias, as well as heightened rates of heart attacks, strokes and premature death, all of which can be directly linked to excess pollution exposure, with many studies highlighting this fact throughout recent history. This places a greater amount of emphasis on the importance of keeping oneself safe from pollution exposure throughout Nong Bua Lamphu, particularly during the months that have the highest readings of PM2.5 and US AQI.

What chemical pollutants can be found in Nong Bua Lamphu?

Some examples of air pollutants that are found in varying amounts in the air throughout Nong Bua Lamphu include ones such as black carbon and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Due to both of these pollutants being released from the burning of both organic material as well as fossil fuels, they can be found in fairly large quantities in many areas that see any level of industrial activity, or anywhere that has some form of burning or combustion occurring. Black carbon has many dangerous side effects when inhaled, as well as also having warming effects on the environment. Some examples of VOCs include benzene, methylene chloride, xylene and formaldehyde, all of which come with many adverse health effects when they enter the body. Other pollutants include those that go into making up the US AQI index, which are main chemical compounds such as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone (smog), carbon monoxide and both PM10 and PM2.5.

Which people are more vulnerable to polluted air in Nong Bua Lamphu?

Though many inhabitants can go about daily business in Nong Bua Lamphu without too much concern of suffering from serious health effects (although smaller side effects may start to show themselves as a result of breathing polluted air over longer periods), many different groups in Nong Bua Lamphu can be classified as being more vulnerable or at higher risk of suffering from poor health. These vulnerable groups include those such as the elderly, especially if they have any pre-existing conditions that lead to poorer levels of health, with heart and lung conditions being the most important when it comes to understanding how safe an individual will be when exposed to air pollution. Other groups include young children, babies, as well as pregnant mothers, all of whom can have many negative health issues occur when exposed to smoke and other noxious pollutants. Due to these chemicals having certain properties that can cause alterations of the nervous system, as well as damaging the lungs, heart and other organs, stunted growth, both physically and mentally may occur as a result. Furthermore, babies in the womb can still be exposed to second-hand pollution that enters the body of their mother. Others that may also be more at risk are people compromised immune systems or accompanying pre-existing health conditions as mentioned prior. With poor immune systems, common coughs and upper or lower respiratory infections may develop into life-threatening ailments. As such, these groups may wish to take extra care during bouts of high air pollution in Nong Bua Lamphu, taking certain safety measures when pollution levels rise to any level above that the 'good' US AQI rating (moderate and beyond).

What time of the year is pollution at its worst in Nong Bua Lamphu?

Whilst the air pollution levels can fluctuate dramatically at any given time of the year, due to many different reasons, it remains that smoke, haze and other dangerous clouds of fine particles can accumulate within the atmosphere or certain areas of Nong Bua Lamphu. Some of these reasons include adverse meteorological, or weather-related conditions. Lack of rain during certain times of the year, coupled with an absence of stronger winds can lead to many fine particles and other pollutants building up, with the wind being one of the more prominent removers of pollution (although of note is that it can carry clouds of smoke over to other surrounding cities and provinces). Rain can assist in tamping down larger particles of soot, dust or pollen spores, although it is far less efficacious than wind in its removal of polluted air. Referring to the question, due to its position in the upper or northern regions of Thailand, Nong Bua Lamphu will likely be subject to the highest levels of air pollution during the months that the open burning season starts to take place. Slash and burn farming practices, as mentioned in the question above regarding air pollution causes in Nong Bua Lamphu, typically occur in the latter portion of the year, with US AQI and PM2.5 levels rising rapidly towards December and then continuing on into the earlier months of the following year before they start to drop again as the burning comes to a halt. As such, even with possible differences in air quality seen year to year, generally, the pollution levels will be at their highest from September or October through to December, as well as January through to March. Due to the possible inconsistencies in guaranteed air quality levels, pollution forecasts should be followed, with the ones on this page, as well as on the AirVisual app providing hourly updates regarding the condition of the air in Nong Bua Lamphu, as well as many other cities and provinces throughout the country.