An air pollution expert has proposed measures to better control ultra-fine dust levels in Bangkok by directly reducing emissions from households and those resulting from people's daily routines.
Bangkok experienced chronic air pollution last month when on certain days airborne particulate matter surged above the safety limit of 50 microgrammes per cubic metre (µcg) in many areas of Bangkok to levels potentially dangerous to people's health.
Measuring 2.5 micrometres in diameter, smaller than the width of a single human hair, the dust can easily lodge in the lungs causing severe breathing disorders.
Urgent steps already taken to protect people such as producing artificial rain, or warning residents to stay indoors and wear face masks when venturing outside, are not enough, according to former Pollution Control Department chief Supat Wangwongwattana. He suggests officials focus more on efforts to tackle pollution at its source.
He says the main cause of the problem is people, not the unusual weather pattern earlier this year which made Bangkok's air static, causing dust to accumulate in certain areas.
He said there should be stricter controls on vehicles, burning, construction projects and even cremations.
These issues, blamed for causing airborne pollutants, are man-made problems, he said.
In the short term, Mr Supat suggested the government expand truck no-entry zones at specific hours in Bangkok.
"If this is not enough to reduce harmful levels of PM2.5, the measure must also be applied to smaller trucks during rush hours."
If these measures fail, motorists must also help, he said. He suggested vehicles with even- or odd -number plates be barred from some city roads on alternate days.
"In the long term, the government must come up with better traffic management to avoid, or at least relieve, congestion on the roads."
Pollution from construction sites must be also reduced, he said. That includes making builders adjust construction methods to lessen the amount of pollution they create, Mr Supat added. Officials may also need to close some crematoriums and allow only those equipped with the technology to clean pollutants to operate.
As a member of the Pollution Control Committee, he is preparing to forward his proposals to the National Environment Board for consideration. He said he believed it is everyone's job to curb pollution and that it should not just be left to the authorities.
