Chiang Mai Can Breathe Again As Air Quality Improves

Crop burning season ending, Northern forest fires gradually under control and less general activity during Covid-19 lockdown. The reasons for improved air quality can be many. Comparing late April and early May of 2020 to the numbers of 2019, Chiang Mai Air Quality has experienced significant improvements, according to aqicn.org.

The website data shows that Chiang Mai air quality index (AQI) reported PM2.5 levels of less than 100 per cubic metre for more than two weeks. 50 AQI is the general safety standard in Thailand.

The AQI is a standard that indicates the level of air pollution.

• Level 0-50 means good air quality
• 51-100 means moderate quality
• 101-105 will affect sensitive groups
• 151-200 is slightly harmful to health
• 201-300 is highly harmful
• 301-500 means extremely dangerous

For several days in the past two weeks, The Chiang Mai air quality index has seen a decrease of more 50 %, compared to the AQI of 2019.

April 30th

2019 – Air Quality Index of 152

2020 – Air Quality Index of 57

May 4th

2019 – Air Quality Index of 158

2020 – Air Quality Index of 56

May 12th

2019 – Air Quality Index of 129

2020 – Air Quality Index of 69

March 13th, NBT World reported, that there were 456 hotspots in the northern province as the air pollution intensified.

Chiang Mai was the ‘most polluted city in the world’ on March 10th, according AirVisual.com.

Smog has been a widespread phenomenon in North & Central Thailand for over a decade. It typically occurs from January to April, but peaks in March as very dry conditions intensify the forest fires. This is demonstrated by farmers who burn waste to clear land for the next harvest season.

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