The Governor of Chiang Mai, Nirat Phongsitthaworn, issued a provincial announcement on Monday to implement measures for a three-day period from April 9 to 11. The aim is to address and alleviate the impact of PM 2.5 airborne particles, which have been consistently exceeding acceptable levels.
The directive mandates all government agencies to adopt a work-from-home policy and encourages businesses to also consider allowing their employees to work remotely during this time.
Due to high levels of fires and dust in six districts of Chiang Mai — Chiang Dao, Mae Taeng, Chai Prakan, Fang, and Phrao — the city was ranked as the most polluted in the world for several consecutive days. On April 6, the Governor declared the area as being affected by a disaster and established a relief zone to aid those impacted by wildfires and forest fires.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin addressed the PM2.5 issue in the northern region by stressing that the government is actively working towards solutions. He urged collective efforts from all individuals to combat the problem. The Public Health Minister, Cholnan Srikaew, and Deputy Interior Minister, Chada Thai-saed, have been instructed to provide assistance, particularly in Chiang Mai.
Acknowledging the health risks associated with forest fires and air pollution in Chiang Mai and surrounding areas, the untimely passing of Prof. Dr. Raviwan Olanratmanee, the Dean of Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Architecture, from lung cancer was noted. This unfortunate event has raised concerns, highlighting the potential link between PM2.5 exposure and health issues.
Since March 2022, three non-smoking professors in Chiang Mai, including Dr. Kritthai Thanakritsombat, have been diagnosed with lung cancer. The instances of lung cancer in the northern region have been a persistent concern over the past ten years, with projections indicating a worsening situation during PM2.5 outbreaks. This has led to an increase in hospitalizations due to respiratory issues.
An examination of lung cancer mortality rates in different regions between 2010 and 2021 revealed that the North, especially Chiang Mai and Lampang provinces, experienced higher death rates. Dr. Sakarn Bunnag from the Department of Medical Services highlighted the region’s elevated incidence of lung cancer, with an average of 2,487 new cases annually and around 1,800 deaths reported from the disease. While PM2.5 is a significant risk factor, it is not the sole cause, with other factors also contributing to the prevalence of lung cancer in the northern region.
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