PM2.5 Crisis – Fine Particles, a Silent Threat You Need to Know

The PM2.5 issue in our country has continued to persist and affects health more than expected. According to 2024 statistics, over 9.4 million people nationwide suffered from diseases caused by air pollution. PM2.5 can enter the bloodstream and lead to various health problems. These fine particles can bypass the filtration of nasal hair, travel through the respiratory tract to the alveoli, and eventually seep into the bloodstream. Prolonged inhalation can result in accumulation in the body, causing different illnesses and potentially leading to death. Let’s explore how PM 2.5 affects the body, which diseases it contributes to, and which vulnerable groups should avoid exposure to these fine particles. Here is the information we have compiled for you.

If it’s too long, you can choose a topic to read:

1. What causes PM2.5?

2. How does PM2.5 affect the body?

3. Four high-risk groups vulnerable to PM2.5

4. How to protect yourself from PM2.5

5. What AQI level is harmful to health?

1. What causes PM2.5?

PM 2.5 refers to extremely small particles that can remain airborne for long periods and are small enough to penetrate the body through inhalation easily. These particles pose serious health risks. The primary sources of PM2.5 are diverse, but the main contributors include:

• Forest burning and wildfires: Forest burning is a major cause of high PM2.5 levels. Smoke and particles from wildfires rise into the atmosphere and spread over wide areas, significantly affecting air quality.
• Industrial production: Activities such as coal burning in power plants and waste incineration contribute significantly to PM2.5 emissions. Industrial facilities such as steel plants and cement factories also release large amounts of fine particles.
• Cooking: Cooking with firewood or charcoal is another source of PM2.5.
• Pollution from vehicle emissions: Exhaust fumes, particularly from old diesel vehicles, contribute significantly to PM2.5 due to incomplete combustion, which releases soot and PM2.5.
• Open-field agricultural burning: The burning of agricultural waste, such as sugarcane fields, cornfields, rice paddies, slash-and-burn farming, and land preparation for planting, is a major cause of PM2.5 in many areas, particularly during dry seasons.

Factors affecting PM2.5 levels

Aside from primary causes, other factors influence PM2.5 volumes in the air, such as:

• Weather conditions: Temperature, humidity, and wind speed affect the dispersion of PM2.5.
• Geography: Areas with high-rise buildings and heavy traffic tend to have higher PM2.5 levels than open spaces.
• Seasons: During dry seasons or periods of forest burning, PM2.5 levels are generally higher than during the rainy season.

Where can you check PM2.5 levels?

Where can we check PM2.5 levels, and what is the current PM2.5 level? So that you can plan outdoor activities safely, here are some easy ways to monitor air quality:

• Smartphone applications: These provide convenience, fast access to information, and real-time updates. Examples include AirVisual, Air4Thai, BreezoMeter, and Check Foon (developed by GISTDA).
• Government websites: Agencies such as the Pollution Control Department provide PM2.5 data collected from monitoring stations nationwide. The Thai Meteorological Department also provides weather and air quality updates.
  

2. How does PM2.5 affect the body?

PM2.5 particles are so small that they can easily penetrate the body through inhalation, impacting various bodily systems. Common health effects include:

Respiratory and lung damage

PM2.5 and air pollution directly affect the respiratory system and lungs. Due to their minuscule size, PM2.5 particles can easily and rapidly enter the respiratory tract, triggering asthma attacks in patients or even causing asthma in healthy individuals. Long-term inhalation of fine particles and pollutants can also contribute to the development of lung cancer.

Danger to the heart

Breathing in PM2.5 over time leads to the accumulation of particles within the blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Furthermore, air pollution affects heart muscle cells, potentially causing irregular heartbeats and sudden cardiac arrest.

Danger to the brain

Due to its extremely small size, PM2.5 can enter the bloodstream and accumulate, making the blood more viscous, raising blood pressure, and increasing the risk of blood clots in the brain. The hardening of cerebral arteries can lead to blockages or ruptures, causing paresis, paralysis, and even death.

3. Four high-risk groups vulnerable to PM2.5

The severity of health risks from PM2.5 depends on an individual's overall health and physical resilience. Those with underlying diseases are at significantly higher risk.

• Children: These are a high-risk group due to their underdeveloped immune systems and growing organs. When PM2.5 enters their respiratory system and bloodstream easily, it can interfere with development and increase susceptibility to illnesses later in life.
• Pregnant women: PM2.5 negatively impacts both maternal health and fetal development. It is linked to premature birth, miscarriage risks, and increased infant mortality rates.
• Elderly people: As they age, their organs deteriorate, and their immune systems weaken. High exposure to PM2.5 can increase their risk of heart disease and asthma.
• Patients or those with underlying diseases: This high-risk group must take extra precautions as they are more affected than the general population. Exposure to PM2.5 can worsen their conditions or even become life-threatening. The four main disease groups at risk include: 1. cardiovascular diseases 2. respiratory diseases 3. skin inflammation diseases 4. eye inflammation diseases.
  

4. How to protect yourself from PM2.5

PM2.5 has significant effects on the body, so we must take precautions to reduce the risk of illness caused by its dangers.

• Mask: Wear a mask that can filter small particles, such as an N95 mask, which filters at least 95%, or an N99 mask, which filters up to 99%. Wear it correctly as instructed, ensure a tight fit, and avoid reuse.
• Download an app: Download an air quality monitoring app on your mobile phone to check pollution levels before going outside, such as AirVisual, Air4Thai, BreezoMeter, and Check Foon (developed by GISTDA).
• Avoid outdoor activities: Inhaling or coming into contact with PM2.5 in large amounts, especially when exercising outdoors, increases the intake of fine particles into the respiratory system and lungs.
• Stay at home and keep windows closed: When particle levels are high, it is best to stay indoors or in buildings. Keep doors and windows tightly closed. If an air purifier is available, turn it on to help filter fine particles and improve indoor air quality.
• Avoid smoking or creating smoke: Smoking or inhaling smoke further weakens the respiratory system, increasing the risk of asthma and lung cancer.

5. What AQI level is harmful to health?

AQI, or air quality index, is an index indicating air quality at a given time, determined by the concentration of various air pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, ozone, etc. AQI is divided into multiple levels, each corresponding to different health effects. So, at what AQI level does it become dangerous?

• AQI of 100 or Above: This is considered to start affecting health, especially for high-risk groups.
• AQI of 150 or Above: Everyone may begin to experience abnormal health effects.
• AQI of 200 or Above: This is hazardous to health and may cause medical emergencies.
  

PM2.5 continues to persist, so we should protect ourselves well to reduce health impacts from these fine particles. Taking proper precautions helps minimize the risk of illnesses caused by PM2.5 in the future, just as having health insurance is necessary while still healthy to ensure full coverage. Since health insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions, we should prepare well in advance. With lump sum health insurance covering from 200,000 Baht to 100 million Baht, medical expenses become less of a burden when illness occurs.

For more information:

☑️ Call Tel. 1766, available 24/7

☑️ Contact a life insurance agent.

●    Please study the details of coverage, conditions, and exclusions before making a decision to purchase insurance.

Sources: Retrieved on 22/01/25

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