Air quality in Bang Na

What are the air pollution levels like in Bang Na?

Bang Na has air pollution levels that can fluctuate rapidly between the different months of the year, as is commonly seen in many areas throughout Thailand, with varying reasons as to why such highs and lows of pollution can be seen. In mid to late September of 2021, a US AQI reading of 50 was recorded, placing Bang Na just within the 'good' air quality rating bracket, which requires a US AQI reading of 0 to 50 to be classified as such. Although this fell within the most optimal classification, it can be seen that one more unit would push it into the 'moderate' air quality bracket (51 to 100 required), indicating a higher level of chemical compounds and fine particles in the atmosphere. Other US AQI readings include lows of 17 and 13, indicating a very respectable level of air cleanliness, whilst highs of 71 were also recorded in September of 2021. As with many areas in Thailand, air quality figures should be monitored due to their constantly fluctuating figures (which come from several different sources, some of which will be elaborated on further). These readings can be followed on this page, as well as via the AirVisual app.

What causes pollution to occur within Bang Na?

Many of the main contributing factors in rising levels of air pollution in Bang Na are ones such as the exhaust fumes released from the various vehicles on the road. With cars, motorbikes, as well as heavy freight vehicles such as lorries and trucks in use on the road, they all compound the pollution situation and add to the overall PM2.5 and US AQI levels. It is not uncommon for many of these vehicles to be significantly aged, damaged, or in a poorer condition due to years of usage, which puts a greater toll on the environment due to the larger output of pollution released as a result of the poor combustion process that takes place within the engine. Large amounts of oil vapors, hazardous particles and chemical compounds are released from these more aged vehicles, far more than what be seen emanating from newer or more environmentally-friendly models. Regarding the heavier freight vehicles contributing to motor-based pollution, many of these run on diesel fuel and can give off tons of microscopic rubber particles from the gradual wear and tear of tire treads. This can cause particle pollution to go up significantly, along with impacting the soil and the various ecosystems around it. Other sources of air pollution include dust from construction sites, road repairs, and even demolition sites (all of which can be a major source of particulate matter, far more than many people are aware of), along with the burning of trash, although this continues to be on the decline in more developed areas and mostly a continuing issue within certain provinces or far away from any major cities.

What is PM2.5 and what properties do other forms of particle pollution have in Bang Na?

As touched on briefly, ultrafine particles can have a serious impact on the health of those who are exposed, particularly when exposure levels are severe or take place over long periods. PM2.5 can be made out of materials such as water and other liquid vapors, along with finely ground metals, nitrates, and sulfates, mold spores and bacteria, dust and soot, as well as silica and gravel ground down to microscopic levels. These particles can cause damage to the lungs when breathed, and many of them have highly carcinogenic properties, which can cause the rates of lung cancer to rise significantly when exposure takes place.

What health issues are associated with breathing polluted air in Bang Na?

Exposure to high levels of air pollution can bring about all manner of unwanted and dangerous conditions, particularly to certain individuals who fall into the sensitive group's bracket. However, even healthy adults can succumb to the ill effects of air pollution if exposure is excessive, or taken in over a long time (particularly for those who live near highly polluted areas such as industrial districts or near busy roads, whereby the air quality will be poor for a most of the year). Many conditions that may arise as a result would be the typical short-term ones such as dry throat and coughs, as well as chest pains and mild infections of the respiratory tract. These can resolve themselves quickly when exposure to air pollution is lessened or ceased altogether, and as such, they can be considered as more short-term or acute health issues. They may also develop into more long-term or chronic issues, with continuous chest infections and coughing leading to the scarring of lung tissue, which often results in permanently decreased lung capacity.

As well as this, the scarring or damage and inflammation to the tissue of the lungs can make one more vulnerable to a whole host of respiratory distress, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presenting itself. This is an umbrella term that refers to a multitude of different lung and respiratory tract conditions, typically resulting in shortness of breath as well as making an individual at greater risk of severe damage from pollution exposure. Some further conditions that fall under the COPD bracket are one such as pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema as well as asthma. Other forms of damage that can happen within the body include increased risk of cancer, heart attacks, strokes and arrhythmias, as well as ischemic heart disease and many other cardiac or pulmonary conditions that can bring about decreased quality of life as well as lower life expectancy.

What are some pollutants that can be found in the air in Bang Na?

The main pollutants present in Bang Na would be the chemical compounds that form the US AQI reading, which are found anywhere that sees any forms of industrial activity, or combustion sources taking place. They are nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone, or smog as it is better known when it gathers in larger amounts. The various oxides of nitrogen (NOx) that are also released by cars and combustion sources can undergo a chemical reaction and form ozone under the right conditions (higher exposure to sunlight), along with other gases and chemical compounds also adding to the formation of ozone. Other pollutants include black carbon, which is the main component in soot, and a potent carcinogen when inhaled, making it a very dangerous form of PM2.5 that also has climate-changing properties. Along with black carbon, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are also formed from the incomplete combustion of both fossil fuels and organic matter. Some examples of VOCs are chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, styrene and toluene, all of which are extremely harmful to one’s health.