Location: Mueang Samut Prakan District – Thailand
Language: Thai
Duration: 00:05:07
Source: A24
Restrictions: A24
Dateline: 28-02-2022
Storyline
Residents of the Samut Prakan Province have been suffering from an “alarming” level of fine dust into the air, as commuters and workers in transportation have been hit the most by the air pollution that is getting worse by the day. Residents of the industrial city reported that what makes the situation worse is the fact that the city is crammed and the amount of car emissions is getting higher due to the increase of the city population and the increase in the number of factories. They demanded stricter controls and governmental supervision of factories, as they expressed health fears from factory emissions. Many cases of dizziness and headaches have been reported because of the coarse air conditions. Phachara Sasichachayamon, who is the head of the Samut Prakan Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office said the authorities are well aware of the gravity of the situation and the issue of PM 2.5 dust and said that a study indicates the main problem of dust is not caused by factories, but by car emissions.
Shotlist
– (Soundbite) Mr. Dam, a taxi driver
“In this area, there is a lot of PM 2.5 dust, making it difficult to breathe. People would feel dizzy because of the amount of smoke coming from car exhausts.
– (Soundbite) Abhisit Soinamthip, a motorcycle taxi driver:
“The PM 2.5 dust is known to people, but its health hazards are not known. We want the government agencies to control and supervise industrial pollution at factories located in Samut Prakan Province as many do not treat toxic materials; instead, they let them into the air and hurt us. We are trying to make a living, but it is very difficult.”
– (Soundbite) Mr. Phachara Sasichachayamon, who is the head of the Samut Prakan Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office:
“If you go back to January 2021, you would have found that the PM 2.5 issue was most problematic in Mueang Pak Nam District, Samut Prakan Province. It has the highest average PM 2.5 dust rate at 55 micrograms per cubic meter In February 2021. We have also reported cases of fine dust in the air in other areas: Songkanong Subdistrict, Talat Subdistrict, Bang Prong Subdistrict and Bang Sao Thong District. Other places have not had much trouble. The PM 2.5 dust average rate in January 2022 was 61 micrograms per cubic meter. On January 6, 2022, the PM 2.5 dust rate was 54 micrograms per cubic meter. On January 7, 2022, it had a PM 2.5 dust rate of 56 micrograms per cubic meter. On January 18, 2022, the PM 2.5 dust rate was 61 micrograms per cubic meter. After that, it gradually decreased.
“Currently, a study found that PM 2.5 dust is caused by and from the wind blowing from Bangkok into Samut Prakan Province, which would have been laden with dust. The PM 2.5 dust will increase because, in Bangkok, there are a lot of cars. Our inspection of factories showed that there is no PM 2.5 dust emission, so the problem of PM 2.5 dust is strictly confined to Samut Prakan Province.
“The problem is mostly caused by car exhaust fumes amid expectations the PM 2.5 rate would increase. The working group will refer the matter to the Governor of Samut Prakan Province. He will organize a “Good Weather Week Project,” and there will be cooperation between government agencies and the private sector. The days to do the “Good Weather Week Project” must predict a day where PM 2.5 dust would be in a large amount. It is the day to prepare the next good weather week project.”
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