The recent high levels of pollution in Delhi brought us face to face with a near-death situation for which only we are responsible, but which makes easy victims out of all animals and plants.
Although pollution has proliferated in different spheres of human life and reached a poisonous level, it is so devastating because it is omnipresent; whether we live inside or outside, we can not live without fresh air. According to a scientific study, about one in every eight deaths is somehow associated with air pollution.
Air pollution occurs when harmful substances including particulates and biological molecules are introduced into the earth's atmosphere, which is composed of the layers of gases commonly known as air.
It surrounds the planet and protects the lives on it. By volume, dry air contains 78% nitrogen 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.04% carbon dioxides and a small amount of other gases.
Combusted fossil fuels, gasoline, diesel and other similar substances are the main sources of smog.
An air pollutant is a substance in the air that can have adverse effects on humans and ecosystems. They can cause diseases, allergies, and death, as well as harm animals and food crops, leading to a horrible degradation of the natural environment. Pollutants, which are either man-made or of natural origin, can be classified as primary or secondary.
Primary pollutants are produced from things like carbon monoxide from motor vehicles, while secondary pollutants form in the air.
Of the many layers of the troposphere, the ozone layer is closer to the planet and presents more human health problems including respiratory irritation and reduced lung function.
It is high time for the government to declare Ozone Action Day to alert citizens of possible exposure to unhealthy levels of ozone and offer an opportunity for citizens to curtail activities that contribute to problems in the ozone.
Other simple steps citizens can take to help decrease the production of compounds include: conserving energy at home, picking one day to leave your car at home, working remotely, considering manual or electric-powered equipment, and educating friends, family members and co-workers about the problem. It is only our efforts and activities that can keep the air clean and make it a healthy place to live in.
Raj Kumar Singh
Get to the root
Re: "Fix lax rules on factories", (Opinion, Feb 8).
What makes this so hard is the fact that this is Thai culture. It is Thai people who were born and raised to be like this. People don't instantly become corrupt after stepping into political office; they have always been that way. You have to fix the root cause.
Kreeta
Get everyone involved
Re: "PM's one-man show", (PostBag, Feb 9).
David James Wong was only half right in his insistence that one country alone cannot issue a red alert -- only Interpol can do it. The fact is that both member countries and Interpol must work together to start and carry out this process.
In the case of Hakeem al-Araibi, a red notice was issued by Interpol at the request of the Bahraini government on Nov 8, 2018.
The Australian government, having been aware of this situation, made sure that the red notice was rescinded on Nov 30. But Araibi arrived in Bangkok and was arrested three days prior to that.
Even worse, by the time Australia made a request for Araibi's release, his case had already been forwarded to the Thai court.
Thus, this case looks like it will be time-consuming if there are no out-of-court settlements made any time soon. That is why it takes all countries concerned to resolve this problem.
Mr Wong, who has been strongly advocating for democracy in Thailand, surprised me when he said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha should be encouraged to use Section 44 to settle this matter.
Vint Chavala
Migrant question answered
Re: "White migrants only?", (PostBag, Feb 9).
Samanea Saman asked if Donald Trump is only referring to white immigrants he says he wants more immigrants to come to America. In January 2018, Mr Trump said, "We want more people from places like Norway," and then referred to Haiti as a "s---hole" country. Does that answer your question, Mr Saman?
Eric Bahrt
Legal uncertainty
After Friday's surprise political announcement, we now have a remarkable situation where no-one knows what they can print without falling afoul of certain laws.
Comments are banned and I feel sure the arguments will go on for days, leaving everyone who wants to know whats going on unable to find out. Welcome to Thailand.
Lungstib
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