Air quality in Nakhon Phanom

What is the air quality like in Nakhon Phanom?

Observing the air quality readings taken in early November of 2021, it can be seen that Nakhon Phanom presented with a US AQI reading of 102, placing it into the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' rating bracket, which as the name would suggest, is of poorer quality and would cause a number of health issues to the population, particularly for those who are within these vulnerable demographics. at the time in which this US AQI reading was taken (with US AQI being a figure aggregated from the various main pollutants found in the air throughout Nakhon Phanom), the PM2.5 level was also found to be at 36 μg/m³, 3.6 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO's) yearly air quality guideline, for safe levels of air pollution exposure. As such, during the latter part of the year, as with many towns, cities and provinces in the northern regions of Thailand, precaution should be taken to ensure minimal exposure to air pollution.

What are some causes of air pollution in Nakhon Phanom?

A majority of the main contributing factors in elevated levels of air pollution present in Nakhon Phanom are centered around the multitude of different combustion processes constantly occurring. Due to its position in the northeastern regions of Thailand, Nakhon Phanom is affected more prominently by slash and burn farming practices, which can cause the pollution levels to spike rapidly during the burning months of the year, which typically begin towards September or October and continue until the earlier months of the following year. Besides this more prominent pollutive issue, there are many other sources of air pollution present, such as the exhaust fumes released from vehicles in use on the road. With cars, motorbikes and heavier freight vehicles such as lorries and trucks in use on the road, they all compound the pollution situation and add to the overall PM2.5 and US AQI levels. It is not uncommon for many of these vehicles to be significantly aged, damaged, or in a poorer condition due to years of usage, which puts a greater strain on the environment in Nakhon Phanom and surrounding areas, due to the greater amount of pollution given off into the atmosphere. This is largely due to the poor combustion process that takes place within run-down, aged and lower quality engines. Higher amounts of oil vapors, hazardous particles and chemical compounds can be released from these vehicles, usually in considerably greater volumes than what is seen coming from more environmentally-friendly vehicles. Looking back to the issue of heavier freight vehicles contributing to motor-based pollution, many of these larger vehicles utilize diesel as their main fuel source, which as a result can give out many tons of chemical compounds and fine particles that come from the combustion of fossil fuels. Furthermore, microscopic rubber particles from the residual wear and tear of the tire treads are also thrown into the atmosphere in Nakhon Phanom, leading to sizeable buildups in various ecosystems over longer periods. This causes particle pollution to go up by a considerable amount, impacting the soil and vegetation, as well as the various ecosystems around it. Other sources of air pollution include dust from construction sites, road repairs, and even demolition sites (all of which can be a major source of particulate matter, typically more than most people are aware), along with the burning of refuse or waste, although this continues to be on the decline in more developed areas and mostly a continuing issue within certain provinces or far away from any major cities.

What are the health risks associated with breathing polluted air in Nakhon Phanom?

Extended and prolonged periods of exposure to higher levels of air pollution in Nakhon Phanom may trigger off a large number of highly negative health issues and other serious conditions, particularly pertinent to those individuals who fall under the sensitive group's bracket. Of note though, is that even healthy adults may fall ill or sustain damage when air pollution exposure is excessive, or exposure takes place over a long period (particularly prominent for those who live closer to highly polluted areas, which include industrial districts or near busy roads and highways, where the air quality will be poor for a majority of the year). Many conditions that can arise in Nakhon Phanom as a result would be shorter-term ones such as throat irritation and coughs, as well as chest pains and subsequent infections of the lower respiratory tract and lungs. These can usually resolve themselves rapidly when exposure to air pollution is lessened or halted outright. There is also the chance, however, that they may develop into more long-term or chronic health issues, with a succession of chest infections and heavy coughing leading to the scarring of lung tissue, which usually results in permanently decreased lung capacity. Additionally, the continual scarring or damage and inflammation sustained to the tissue of the lungs that occurs from breathing these damaging particles can make individuals much more vulnerable to a whole host of respiratory distress, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presenting itself. COPD is an umbrella term that encompasses a plethora of lung and respiratory tract ailments, usually resulting in shortness of breath and other unwanted or adverse symptoms. Breathing in polluted air when an individual already suffers from pre-existing conditions can cause them to worsen, and thus progress into potentially more life-threatening forms of said illness. Some of the conditions that can be classified under the COPD bracket are aggravated forms of asthma, as well as emphysema, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Other forms of damage that can happen within the body include increased risk of cancer, heart attacks, strokes and arrhythmias, as well as ischemic heart disease and many other cardiac or pulmonary conditions that can bring about decreased quality of life as well as lower an individual’s life expectancy in Nakhon Phanom.

What chemical pollutants can be found in the air in Nakhon Phanom?

Pollutants found in the air throughout Nakhon Phanom would be those that go into forming the US AQI figure, namely sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, PM2.5 and PM10 as well as carbon monoxide. Other prominent pollutants would be volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as black carbon. Some examples of dangerous VOCs would be chemicals such as benzene (highly carcinogenic, along with black carbon), styrene, formaldehyde and toluene.

Who is most at risk from negative health issues related to breathing unclean air in Nakhon Phanom?

People who fall into the more vulnerable health bracket are those such as the elderly, as well as young children, babies and pregnant mothers. Those with hypersensitivity towards chemicals or fine particles would also be at heightened risk, along with those that have any pre-existing health conditions, or compromised immune systems.