Maha Sarakham air quality map

Is the air pollution map for Maha Sarakham full of interesting information about air quality?

The air pollution map for Maha Sarakham is very easy to find at the top of the main city page. A left-click anywhere on the map icon will open a new page filled with information about air quality.

One of the first things to notice will be the overall colour of the map. This colour reflects the current air quality which is classified as “Moderate”. This is shown by the dark greenish/yellow colour on the map. The full meaning of the various colours used is explained in the legend at the foot of the page.

The other thing to notice is the coloured discs which appear to be spread across the map. These coloured discs show the location of the ground-level air monitoring stations. However, not all cities have these ground-level stations and rely on overhead satellite imagery for their air quality data. Maha Sarakham is one such city. So, the discs seen on the air quality map are not providing data to Maha Sarakham. On the main city page, just to the right of the US AQI number will be an asterisk which denotes that the information comes from overhead satellites.

This US AQI number plays a very important role when comparing air quality in different cities all over the world. It is calculated by measuring the levels of Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide which are the six most prolific air pollutants found in city air. It is actively endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Looking briefly back at the main city page, it is seen that in September 2022, Maha Sarakham was experiencing a period of “Moderate” air quality with a US AQI reading of 64. The main pollutant was found to be PM2.5 at a level of 18.1 µg/m³. This is just over three and a half times the recommended target figure of 5 µg/m³ as recommended by the WHO.

What other valuable information can be gleaned from the air pollution map for Maha Sarakham?

In order for some of the extra information to be visible, the screen needs to be accessed in full-screen mode. Only when viewed this way will a drop-down box appear on the left-hand side of the screen showing four options. These choices can be turned on or off as required to get a better understanding of their functions.

The first option would show the positions of the ground-level air monitoring stations but as already stated, Maha Sarakham has no such stations and relies on satellite data, so the ones that can be seen are nothing to do with Maha Sarakham.

The second option shows the location of any wildfires which may be burning in the vicinity. Currently, there are no such fires on the map. If there are any fires burning, option four needs to be consulted as this option shows the speed and direction of the prevailing winds which would give a good indication as to where the smoke will travel.

The third option is the most dramatic as it can change the background colour of the map. This overall colour is a direct reflection of the current air quality. It is currently a dirty greenish/yellow which conveys “Moderate” air quality. If the colour is too intense and confusing, once deactivated the map will revert to a more subdued colour palette.

The other information around the map is over on the right-hand side of the screen. Here is a table which ranks world cities according to their level of air pollution. This can be very useful when comparing air quality in different cities.

Can areas of high air pollution be seen on the air pollution map for Maha Sarakham?

The data from the satellites does not differentiate between certain areas across the city so it is not possible to see where the areas of higher pollution might be. It is generally known that the industrial zones show elevated levels of pollution due to the nature of their work. The city centre can also be more polluted than rural areas because of the volume of traffic that use the road network on a daily basis. Very often these vehicles are old and lack the latest technology which limits odious emissions.

Can the source of the polluted air be seen on the air quality map for Maha Sarakham?

The source of the polluted air is not shown on the air pollution map for Maha Sarakham, however, with it being in a largely agricultural area it is known that most of the PM2.5 pollution comes from the burning of the residual organic waste at the end of the rice harvest. Not only does the rice straw get burned but also the residual chemicals and pesticides that remain in the leaves and stems. Also, when people see a fire burning, they are tempted to get rid of other flammable rubbish such as plastic bottles and other heavily polluting items.

We see PM2.5 used as a benchmark on the air pollution map for Maha Sarakham, but how dangerous is it?

PM2.5 dust can be inhaled deep into the respiratory tract and lungs. Causing irritation, burning nose, coughing, sneezing, asthma and even acute heart attack. Cerebrovascular disease is also possible as is the most dangerous disease of lung cancer.

Dust particles smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), which are invisible to the naked eye and can cause a huge number of health hazards. Most of the PM2.5 dust particles are caused by internal combustion engines. Especially the diesel engines of both new and old cars. Usually, the highest volume occurs during the daily rush hours which often causes long queues of traffic at junctions. It usually occurs during the cold and dry winter and as a result, the dust does not rise to the heights and gets blown away.

Inhaling the tiny toxic dust for a period of time results in sedimentation within the blood vessels possibly leading to a heart attack or the onset of cerebrovascular disease. However, exposure to air pollution also affects myocardial cells and can make a rhythm severe enough to result in an acute heart attack.