BANGKOK, 30th January 2018 (NNT) – The Department of Disease Control will develop a system to prevent pollution-related and occupational diseases in industrial areas, following a significant increase in dust and pollution over the past two years.

The Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, Suwanchai Watthanayingcharoenchai, said a recent surge in dust particle volume in Bangkok had caused fine particulate matter (PM2.5) to accumulate and surpass the standard level. Dust particles were most noticeable as they merged with thick fog. However, rainfall and strong winds in several areas in the capital city have alleviated the situation but the dust problem might recur due to poor circulation of air mass.

During the past two years, the volume of small particulate matters have increased significantly, especially dust particles from vehicle exhaust emissions, factories and infrastructure constructions, he said.

The department has continued to collect pollution information in Bangkok to study its association with diseases which will be used to develop a system to prevent pollution-related diseases in the future. The department will also collect information and develop a system to prevent occupational diseases in all special economic zones in order to be able to cope with possible diseases.

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