VIENTIANE: Laos' Ministry of Agriculture and Environment reported on Thursday (March 26) that air pollution reached unhealthy levels across the country, with PM 2.5 concentration in several areas exceeding 100 microgrammes per cubic meter -- double the safety threshold of 50 microgrammes per cubic metre.
The PM 2.5 concentration in southern Laos' Champasak province reached 123 microgrammes per cubic meter, while Luang Prabang, Salavan, and Attapeu provinces also recorded unhealthy levels exceeding 100 microgrammes per cubic meter.
PM 2.5, the fine particulate matter that causes smog, is an air pollutant containing tiny particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres.
PM 2.5 can lodge in the lungs and enter blood vessels, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
To strengthen measures against air pollution, the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment issued a notice on Jan 15 in preparation for wildfires expected between January and April, which contribute to severe air pollution and rising PM 2.5 levels that pose significant risks to public health and livelihoods.
The notice calls for tighter controls on burning, faster fire detection, and stronger coordination between central and local authorities.
It urges relevant agencies to expand the use of fire hotspot monitoring systems, respond more quickly, provide regular reports on fire impacts, and develop fire-risk maps. - Xinhua
