The air in Yangon contains pollutants that may cause or aggravate lung disease, results of atmospheric readings taken by the Department of Public Health have revealed.
The department yesterday released results of readings taken since 2008 that show the presence of PM 10, fine particles that are one of the worst forms of air pollution, according to the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar.
“Miniscule airborne pollutant particles enter the lungs through the windpipe,” said Dr Thun Htun, the retired deputy director-general of the Workplace Health Department. “They collect in the lungs, causing lung diseases.”
Yangon fared badly compared to other locations in Myanmar – but we don’t need to panic just yet. Thailand and Japan are still worse.
“The air shows more pollutants than other local atmospheres, although not to the point whereby there are enough to be very dangerous to people,” said Dr Kyi Lwin Oo, director of the Department of Environmental Health.
OK, back to that cigarette, then.
