Thailand: Dangerous air quality conditions descend upon Bangkok
While hundreds of schools in the American Midwest are shut down due to freezing temperatures, hundreds in another part of the world are facing closures for a different reason entirely: air pollution. Thailands capital city of Bangkok has been dealing with poor air quality all month, but now the incessant air pollution has forced the city to close schools for the rest of the week.
The city of Bangkok, Thailand, entered the ranks as one of the world's top 10 most polluted cities this past week, and there is no significant relief in sight.
Over the past few weeks, pollution has built across the city, where no rain has fallen since Jan. 8. A heavy, air-cleansing rain event hasn't occurred since Dec. 29.
During these times of dry, calm weather, emissions from area factories and vehicles have built up in the lower atmosphere, leading to increasingly hazy days and choking air.
While "Good" and "Moderate" air quality levels range from 0 to 100 on the Air Quality Index (AQI), the reading in Bangkok early Thursday morning, local time, was over 150. Later that same day, some stations were reporting levels as high as 340.
A student at her school wears a protective mask due to the high levels of city air pollution in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. More than 400 schools in Thailand's capital have been shut as several weeks of dangerously unhealthy air pollution causes increasing concern. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Such hazardous levels of air quality can lead to short-term health effects such as coughing, nausea, sore throats and irritated eyes, as well as long-term impacts such as asthma, cardiovascular diseases and impaired cognitive abilities.
City officials have attempted local air quality mitigation tactics, such as soaking city blocks via hoses and water-spraying drones and limiting construction activity and traffic, according to AP News.
Schools and childcare centers were closed at the end of the week to keep residents inside and vehicles off the road as much as possible.
The city had a slight improvement in air quality on Sunday as the AQI fell into the moderate range in much of the city. This, however, remains unhealthy for people with sensitive respiratory systems.
According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorlogist Dave Houk, the forecast for the coming week does not hold any promise for improving air quality conditions.
"Although places in northern India, like New Delhi, will probably get a break from their pollution during periods of wet weather this week, those systems will weaken and pass well to the north of Bangkok," Houk said.
Water-spraying drones fly over the Suthat Temple in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. A fleet of drones, trucks and small planes are spraying water to try to reduce dust around Bangkok while the governor invited critics to brainstorm better ideas to improve the air quality in the Thai capital. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
According to Houk, "there is a small chance that a few isolated thundershowers develop into early parts of the week," though these would be short-lived, providing little relief from poor air quality conditions.
Tuesday, Feb. 5, marks the Lunar New Year, which is typically celebrated in Bangkok with fireworks and incense throughout the city. According to NPR, officials are urging residents and tourists to refrain from these practices this year.
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