VIENTIANE: Air pollution due to agricultural burning is affecting all parts of Laos, with the worst levels recorded in Xieng Khuang, Xayaboury and Xekong provinces and in Vientiane, the Natural Resources and Environment Research Institute reported on Tuesday (March 25).
People with asthma, any chronic lung disease or cardiovascular disease are at risk of exacerbated symptoms, and the Health Ministry advises people to wear a face mask at all times when outside, to reduce inhalation of fine ash or dust.
The highest PM2.5 concentration was recorded at 284 micrograms per cubic metre in Kaeng village, Xayaboury district, Xayaboury province, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 300.
AQI categorises pollution levels as follows: 0-50 (good), 51-100 (moderate), 101-150 (unhealthy for sensitive groups), 151-200 (unhealthy), 201-300 (very unhealthy), and above 300 (hazardous).
Other areas where air quality was recorded at very unhealthy levels include Phongsaly, Oudomxay, Borikhamxay, Attapeu, Saravan, Xaysomboun and Vientiane provinces, posing health risks to sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
The Haze Monitoring Division of the Natural Resources and Environment Research Institute notes that Laos experiences severe air pollution every year during the dry season.
In April and May, thick smog covers many parts of the country, mainly due to farmers burning fields to prepare for the next planting cycle.
During this period, high temperatures, low wind speeds, and high humidity trap PM2.5 particles, leading to significant air pollution.
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry estimates that 30 per cent of PM2.5 pollution in Laos is caused by the burning of garbage, forests, and farmland.
Other major sources include vehicle emissions in urban areas and industrial plants using unclean forms of energy. - Vientiane Times/ANN
