Thailand's Ongoing Battle Against Cross-Border Smog and Cloud Seeders
In the heart of Southeast Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, faces a persistent air pollution crisis that poses significant risks to the health of its children.
Across 31 districts of the city, 352 schools have been forced to close due to pollution, a stark reminder of the problem at hand. The government has responded by offering free public transport as a means to counter the issue, but the situation remains dire.
The author, like many others, has had to equip their children with masks to protect them from the polluted air. The routine now includes checking the air quality index before venturing out for activities.
The long-term effects of this pollution are profound and enduring. Impaired lung development, increased risk of asthma, persistent coughing, and chronic respiratory problems are just some of the consequences children in Bangkok face. Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and other pollutants during childhood can cause lasting damage to lung function, potentially leading to diseases in adulthood.
The problem is compounded by social inequalities. Children from lower-income families in more polluted areas face greater exposure and associated health burdens, impacting their school attendance and quality of life.
The pollution levels in Bangkok have reached dangerous and deeply worrying levels, making it the fourth most polluted city in the world this month. Winds from China and India have contributed to the recent haze, appearing earlier and more intense than previous years.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has admitted that despite adopting various measures, air quality remains poor. She has personally raised the issue of transboundary smog with ASEAN foreign ministers, but Thailand may need to go much further to turn things around.
The Thai government is using an unconventional method to reduce pollution levels, known as the "rainmaker." This involves dropping 1,000 liters of icy water over polluted areas twice a day. However, the effectiveness of this method is a subject of debate, with critics questioning its unproven nature.
The pollution crisis is linked to the deaths of 100 children under five daily in South East Asia and the Pacific, according to a report by UNICEF. The PM 2.5 levels in Bangkok are currently eight times the World Health Organization's recommendation.
The problem is rooted in part by slash-and-burn farming practices in Ratchaburi province, encouraged by big agricultural companies driving up demand. The government has rules in place against burning crops, but enforcement is not always consistent.
Many people, including the author and their children, have been experiencing a persistent cough due to the pollution. The hope is that the "rainmaker" will cool down the warm air below and help disperse the trapped polluted particles cloaking the city.
As the government and international community grapple with finding solutions, the health and wellbeing of Bangkok's children hang in the balance. It is crucial that measures are taken to address the root causes of the pollution and protect the future of the city's youth.
[1] World Health Organization
[2] American Lung Association
[3] Environmental Defense Fund
[4] Thai Health Promotion Foundation
[5] UNICEF
The World Health Organization warns that the persistent air pollution crisis in Bangkok could lead to a higher incidence of cancer and other medical-conditions, particularly in children.
The American Lung Association suggests that the use of technology, such as air-purifying systems and satellite monitoring, could help in combating the air pollution crisis in Bangkok.
Science and environmental-science could play a crucial role in addressing climate-change and its impact on air quality, which contributes to the pollution crisis in Bangkok.
The Thai Health Promotion Foundation is working to implement health-and-wellness programs aimed at reducing the effects of pollution on children's respiratory-conditions in Bangkok.
UNICEF calls for urgent action from the government and international community to protect children in Bangkok from the health risks associated with pollution, citing data linking pollution to the deaths of 100 children under five daily in South East Asia and the Pacific.
