Today Online 4 Oct 15;
BANGKOK — Haze from forest fires in Sumatra is blanketing several provinces in the south of Thailand, but the air pollution level is still under the safety limit of 120 microgrammes per cubic metre, according to the 16th Regional Environment Office (REO) in Songkhla.
Mr Halem Chemarikan, director of the 16th REO, said Hat Yai was hardest hit today (Oct 4) with the particulate matter in the air measured at 108 microgrammes per cubic metre, down from 136 at 8pm yesterday.
Surat Thani, Phuket, Narathiwat, Yala and Satun were also covered with haze, but at an average level of 80 microgrammes per cubic metres, well below the safety limit of 120.
Mr Halem said the haze situation was being closely monitored by his office.
Children and the elderly with respiratory problems should wear a mask and refrain from going outdoors, he said. BANGKOK POST
Haze covers south Thailand provinces, health officials say level is 'safe'
The Nation AsiaOne 5 Oct 15;
HAZE from forest fires in Sumatra is blanketing several provinces in the South, but air pollution levels are still under the safety limit, according to the 16th Regional Environment Office in Songkhla.
Halem Chemarikan, director of the office, said Hat Yai was hardest hit yesterday with particulate matter in the air measured at 108 micrograms per cubic metre, down from 136 at 8pm on Saturday, and below the 120 micrograms safety limit.
Surat Thani, Phuket, Narathiwat, Yala and Satun were also covered with haze, but at an average level of 80 micrograms.
Halem said the haze situation was being closely |monitored by his office.
Children and the elderly with respiratory problems should wear a mask and refrain from going outdoors, he said.
Yala public health chief Dr Utissak Haritrattanakul said the haze could cause eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing. "Please prepare medicines and necessary equipment if you have any underlying diseases. Also visit doctors if they develop any symptom," he said.
