The haze shrouded Phuket all day yesterday, as seen from the top of Khao Rang hill in Phuket Town. Photo: PR Dept
The haze in Phuket yesterday was the worst on record for the resort island, the Regional Environmental Office 15 confirmed.
The day started with a hazy sunrise, with the PM10 reading (Particulate Matter), which records the level of particle dust and smoke in the air, rising to 170 at 8am. A good clear day would offer a reading of somewhere between zero and 50.
“But the afternoon was the worst. At 3pm, Phuket recorded a PM10 reading of 200,” Dr. Pornsri Suthanaruk, director of Regional Environmental Office 15, said yesterday.
By sunset yesterday, the Thai Pollution Control Department (PCD) officially reported an all-day PM10 high of 214 — so far, a new record.
However, the cloudy skies and the PM10 readings were no real cause for alarm, Dr. Pornsri stressed.
Despite, the elevated PM10 readings, Phuket yesterday scored an Air-Quality Index (AQI) of only 141, which the PCD does not consider hazardous.
According to the PCD, any AQIs from 101-200 qualifies air quality as “affected”. For this category, the PCD notes: “People with breathing problems are to stay indoors. Young and elderly persons must not engage in strenuous physical activity outdoors. Any exercise should be done indoors.”
Regardless, the Phuket Provincial Health Office is continuing to hand out free basic face masks to children, the elderly and people with breathing conditions, such as asthma.
Deputy Director Dr. Krit Sakulpat yesterday re-confirmed that no patients had been admitted to any hospitals in Phuket for serious ailments brought on by the haze.
“We have asked all hospitals in Phuket to report the number of patients with respiratory problems to our office. So far, we have not received any reports, but we will keep a close eye on it as it might take up to three days for people to become seriously affected,” he said.
Meanwhile, the end-of-term break for all Thai curriculum schools has spared many educators the decision of what to do with hordes of children wanting to play outside.
“Only a few [Thai] schools are open for their summer courses or unfinished exams, but they are still not allowing students to spend extended periods outside the buildings or to play,” explained Somporn Chua-sakul director of Phuket Educational Strategy Office.
“The director of every school has the right to close their own school if they believe the closure is necessary,” he added. “And to close a school for more than seven days requires permission from us.
“However, we have yet to receive any such requests and we have not received any reports of the haze causing illness among students. But we are following the situation very closely.”
Story: The Phuket News
