Pollution levels soar in Bangkok

BANGKOK: Air pollution in Bangkok and neighbouring Thai provinces spiked past safe levels yesterday, prompting authorities to urge people to stay indoors and avoid strenuous outdoor activity.

The concentration of small and hazardous airborne particles known as PM2.5 was at 14 times the level recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), making it the sixth-worst in the world, according to IQAir, a Swiss air quality tracking platform. The country’s pollution control department said “stagnant weather conditions” were exacerbating vehicle emissions and seasonal fires on agricultural lands. Residents complained of poor visibility. |