(Retrieved from https://www.legalnomads.com/air-northern-thailand/)
Recent research article from a peer-reviewed journal (Part 1):
The findings from a 2018 study (Sinitkul et al, 2018) concluded that there were three main types of environmental health issues affecting the Thai populace. These included air pollution, heavy metals and pesticides. It was determined that the major health outcomes included detrimental effects on cognitive function and increased cancer risk (Sinitkul et al, 2018).
1. Air Pollution:
The World Health Organization reports the air quality in Thailand is "moderately unsafe. The WHO's air quality guidelines recommend that the annual mean concentrations of PM2.5 should not exceed 10 µg/m3. Thailand's annual mean concentration of PM2.5 is 26 µg/m3. The concentration of particulate matter (PM), a key air quality indicator, is the most common air pollutant that affects short term and long term health. PM2.5 particles are concerning because they can travel deep into the cardiopulmonary system (IAMAT, 2020).
Website of note: Informative Air Quality Index Visual Map
Chaing Mai Tops World Pollution Charts. (Retrieved from https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2019/03/12/chiang-mai-tops-world-pollution-charts)
Contributors to poor air quality:
-power generation from coal
-the manufacturing, refining, and mining industries
-vehicle emissions
-waste burning.
-traditional farming method of "slash-and-burn farming" (ie. fields are burned by farmers in the dry season between February-April, so that the ashes fertilize the fields while they lie dormant). This practice is responsible for the greater part of the pollution (Weng, 2009).
The "burning season" or "smokey season" is from February - April. The season ends when the rainy season begins (starting as early as May). The rains help to dissipate the polluted air. Polluted air contributes to breathing problems, chronic diseases, increased hospitalization, and premature mortality (IAMAT, 2020).
Symptoms resulting from exposure to air pollution (IAMAT, 2020):
-itchy eyes, nose and throat
-wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath
-chest pain
-headaches
-nausea
-upper respiratory infections (bronchitis and pneumonia)
-exacerbates asthma and emphysema.
Long term effects include lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory illness, and developing allergies. Air pollution is also associated with heart attacks and strokes (IAMAT, 2020) .
Farmers in Northern Thailand burning the fields to allow for replanting and regrowth.(Retrieved from https://www.legalnomads.com/air-northern-thailand/)
Pictures of location in Thailand prior and during the smoky season. (Retrieved from https://www.legalnomads.com/air-northern-thailand)
2. Heavy Metals:
Contaminants such as lead and arsenic are produced from activities in industrial zones, mining, and electronic appliance waste. The poisoning can happen if you eat or drink something tainted with heavy metals or if you breathe in contaminated dust or fumes (Siriwan, 2020).
3. Pesticides:
Chemical hazards from pesticides result from agricultural activities in the countryside areas (Siriwan, 2020). "Pesticide intoxication is one of the major public health problems in Thailand and it is caused by intensive use and exposure to pesticides" (Talwatsin, 2020). There are about 49,000 to 61,000 reported cases of pesticide intoxication each year with morbidity rate between 76.4 and 96.6 per 100,000 populations (Talwatsin, 2020).
Promotion activities to improve health and
Recent research article from a peer-reviewed journal (Part 2):
The main ministry for pollution control is the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, specifically the Department of Pollution Control. This governmental agency as well as the non-governmental organization called "Ecological Alert and Recovery–Thailand (EARTH)" are involved in coordinating initiatives to mitigate these environmental health issues (Sinitkul et al, 2018).
The Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Natural Resources released the Third National Environmental Health Strategic Plan, 2017–2021, which focuses on the prevention and reduction of environmental risk factors affecting health. They are attempting to do this through strengthening the environmental health management system.
A specific example of a promotion activity is the successful introduction of lead–free gasoline. We can measure this success through the decline of mean blood lead levels in children, particularly in urban areas. However, unregistered lead-related factories and smelters continue to act as hidden sources (Sinitkul et al, 2018).
References
IAMAT. (2020). Thailand general health risks: Air pollution. Retrieved from https://www.iamat.org/country/thailand/risk/air-pollution.
Ministry of Public Health. (2017). Third national environmental health strategic plan, 2017–2021. Retrieved from http://planning.anamai.moph.go.th/download/D_DataMarts/Strategic/PDF_NEHAP3_eng.pdf
Sinitkul , R., Wongrathanandha, C., Sirirattanapruk, S., Plitponkarnpim, A., Maude, R.J.,
Marczylo, E.L. (2018). Children’s environmental health in Thailand: Past, present, and future. Annals of Global Health, 84(3), pp.306–329. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.29024/aogh.2301
Siriwan Chandanachulaka.(2020). Thailand country report. Retrieved from https://www.degruyter.com/view/journals/reveh/35/1/article-p71.xml
Talwatsin. (2015). Pesticides used in Thailand and toxic effects on human health. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication
Weng. (2009). Govt warning: Chiang Mai can damage your health. The Irrawaddy. Retrieved from https://www2.irrawaddy.com/article.php?art_id=15272
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