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In Thailand, around 2.4 million people have suffered from health problems linked to air pollution since the start of the year, said health authorities in the country, parts of which are suffocating under a toxic cloud.
Poor air quality has driven 2.4 million people to seek medical care since January, with 184,465 hospital admissions this week alone, Dr Opas Karnkawanpong, permanent secretary of the public health department, said on Wednesday. .
Bangkok and the northern city of Chiang Mai were among the world’s most polluted cities Thursday morning, according to air quality monitoring firm IQAir.
Dr. Opas said that respiratory problems, dermatitis, eye inflammation and sore throats were among the most common reasons for consultation.
Health authorities have urged people to use high-quality N95 anti-pollution masks, close windows and doors, spend as little time as possible outdoors and exercise indoors.
“Today there is so much smog. i cough so much“, said a netizen on Facebook. “I have a sore throat. I did a Covid test but that’s not it. When I see the pollution level, that could be it“.
The toxic “smog” is linked to fumes from forest fires and the burning of stubble by farmers, experts say, as well as emissions from vehicles and industries.
Thailand has a population of more than 70 million and poor air quality has become a hot topic ahead of the May 14 election, with the outgoing government accused of not doing enough to tackle the problem.