Images from The Nation Thailand/Asian News Network
BANGKOK, Oct 25 (The Nation Thailand/ANN): The Air Visual application reported on Sunday that Bangkok’s air pollution level according to the US Air Quality Index (AQI) standard stood at 108, with the level of particulate matter less than 2.5 micrograms in diametre (PM2.5) at 38mcg per cubic metre (µg/m3), placing it at 16th on the list of cities with the worst air in the world.
AQI is a standard that indicates the quality of air and level of pollution. Level 0-50 means good air quality, 51-100 is moderate quality, 101-105 will start affecting sensitive groups, 151-200 is slightly harmful to health, 201-300 is highly harmful and 301-500 is extremely dangerous.
Meanwhile, the Pollution Control Department reported that air quality in Bangkok and its perimetre is currently fluctuating between very good to moderate with PM2.5 at around 20-42 µg/m3 detected by 71 air quality stations.
The Thai safety limit for PM2.5 is 50mcg per cubic metre of air while the safety limit for AQI is 100.
As of Sunday, the five cities with the worst air quality were: 1. Lahore, Pakistan - Level: 317; 2. Delhi, India 195; 3. Karachi, Pakistan 169; 4. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 163; 5. Chengdu, China 158.
The cities with the best air quality were: 1. Tashkent, Uzbekistan 1; 2. Melbourne, Australia; 3. Sydney, Australia 6; 4. Canberra, Australia 6; 5. London, United Kingdom 7.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) reported five new Covid-19 cases over a 24-hour period on Sunday.
A 52-year-old Thai woman who had returned from the United Kingdom on Oct 29 tested positive at the state quarantine facility in Chonburi on Oct 22.
Two asymptomatic Thai women -- a 36-year-old convenience store employee and a 38-year-old masseuse -- returned from Bahrain on Oct 18.
They tested positive at the Chonburi state quarantine facility on Oct 22.
A 60-year-old French female tourist arrived on Oct 22 and tested positive the same day at the alternative state quarantine hotel in Bangkok.
A 40-year-old Thai woman, who had returned from the United Arab Emirates on Oct 23, tested positive the same day at a screening checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi Airport after showing symptoms of coughing and sore throat.
Meanwhile, one patient has recovered and been discharged.The total number of confirmed cases in Thailand increased to 3,736 (788 in state quarantine), 147 are in hospital and 3,539 have recovered and been discharged while 59 people have died.
According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Sunday, the total number of confirmed cases increased to 42.9 million (up by 452,886), 31.6 million have recovered, while 10.11 million are active cases ( 77,195 in serious condition) and 1.15 million have died (up by 5,598).
Thailand ranks 146th for most cases in the world, while the US has the most number with 8.82 million, followed by India 7.86 million, Brazil 5.38 million, Russia 1.49 million and Spain 1.11 million. - - The Nation Thailand/Asian News Network
