Nakhon Si Thammarat air quality map

What information can be seen on the air quality map for Nakhon Si Thammarat?

The interactive air quality map for Nakhon Si Thammarat uses coloured discs to indicate the position of the monitoring stations. These coloured-coded discs range in colour from pale green to represent good air quality through to dark maroon with indicates hazardous conditions and a raft of colours in between. The darker the colour, the worse the air quality. The overall look of the map takes on the colour of the average US AQI number.

Each individual disc has a number in the centre which represents the US AQI reading. This is an internationally used set of metrics which is endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It is used to compare air quality in cities across the globe by using recognised standards so as to get a true comparison.

When a disc is selected, the user is taken to its own web page where there is lots of information about that station and its environs. This new page contains some comprehensive details about the air pollution and what the pollutants are. It also gives a forecast for the forthcoming days so decisions can be made as to when and where to go. The interactive map indicates the location of any wildfires within the proximity. Their smoke can severely affect air quality for miles around. The smoke can also be blown across state borders and even into neighbouring countries.

Is there other information on the air pollution map for Nakhon Si Thammarat?

The interactive air pollution map for Nakhon Si Thammarat can be read in conjunction with the lead page or city page where a lot of information is available.

You will see an updated weather forecast and a table to show the real-time city ranking of other Thai cities. You also see the current US AQI number and levels of the main pollutants. Currently these are; PM2.5 - 26µg/m³, PM10 - 59µg/m³ and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) - 16.9µg/m³. These figures are quoted in microns per cubic metre.

This level of PM2.5 is currently just below being five times higher than the target level of 5 µg/m³ as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In addition, air pollution is caused not only by PM2.5 or PM10, but also by other gases such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide.

There is also some advice as to how best to protect yourself from the pollution.

Does the air pollution map for Nakhon Si Thammarat indicate where the worst air quality is?

There are some mobile stations that are used in conjunction with the one operated by Thailand Pollution Control Department. These are used at busy intersections of main roads to check the level of pollution at those sites.

Nitrogen dioxide is one of the major air pollutants emitted by combustion in gas engines in addition to directly causing inflammation of the airways. It is also a precursor to surface-level ozone and fine particulate matter, which indirectly affects public health. Nitrogen dioxide is also a source of acid rain that affects ecosystems. Nakhon Si Thammarat is a province that has experienced rapid economic growth due to tourism promotion which has continually increased traffic density. As a result, air pollution from traffic increases as well.

According to the information from the Bureau of the Environment Bangkok which comes from the study of the proportion of air pollution emissions in Bangkok found that PM2.5 dust was mainly caused by burning fuel which has the main origin from the region road transport vents PM2.5 dust the most at 72.5 per cent, followed by industrial plants 17 per cent, open-air burning 5 per cent and others at 5.5 per cent.

PM2.5 is a measurement used on the air pollution map of Nakhon Si Thammarat, but what is it?

PM2.5 is dust particles less than 2.5 microns in size, which is approximately 1 in 25 parts of a human hair diameter. So small that the human nose hair that filters dust can't be filtered. Therefore, it can spread into the respiratory tract, bloodstream and into other organs in the body. The dust is a carrier that carries other substances such as cadmium, mercury, heavy metals and other carcinogens.

The main source of PM2.5 is transportation, electricity generation and the manufacturing industry, as well as household stoves to some extent. Also, the burning of crop residue as a way of preparing the ground for the next season’s crop. Other items are often burned along with the organic crop waste which considerably adds to the pollution.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) sets the average PM2.5 particulate matter in the air and if it exceeds 25 micrograms per cubic meter. considered dangerous to health. Thailand defines the danger of PM2.5 dust at 50 micrograms per cubic meter.

But regardless of the standard, PM2.5 particulate matter in Bangkok today is considered critical with almost 100 micrograms per cubic meter. especially on roadsides or in areas with heavy traffic and around construction sites.

Of course, air pollution directly affects the respiratory system and lungs. Even when small dust particles that cannot be seen with the naked eye, the more it can pass into the respiratory tract easily and quickly, resulting in exacerbation in asthma patients. Or it can cause healthy people to have asthma as well. If you do not hurry to fix or unknowingly continue to inhale small pollutants into the respiratory system and lungs until accumulated for a long time, it may be a factor in the eventual development of lung cancer.

Inhaling the tiny toxic dust for a period of time results in sedimentation within the blood vessels causing a heart attack or cerebrovascular disease. However, exposure to air pollution also affects myocardial cells. Cause an uneven rhythm and may be severe enough to result in an acute heart attack.

When small dust particles can pass into the bloodstream and accumulate, resulting in high blood pressure and the blood is viscous which increases the risk of blood clots in the brain including hardened arteries in the brain causing blood vessels to narrow or rupture, causing paralysis and death.