KHON KAEN, Feb 15 (TNA) – PM2.5 levels in Khon Kaen have exceeded the safety standard as the governor orders all- out measures to control dust from burning sugarcane fields and exhaust fumes.
Khon Kaen governor, Somsak Jangtrakul said about the overall situation that the province’s tiny particulate matter was measured at an unhealthy level of 63 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³) of air.
The safe threshold is 50µg/m³.
The authorities installed water-spraying equipment in many areas and deployed water trucks to wash roads, construction sites and residential areas in all 26 districts.
Sugarcane factories are instructed to extend opening time to receive produce from farmers, so they don’t have to hurry burning agricultural waste before harvesting the crop.
Burning sugarcane plantations is the major cause of air pollution in the province.
Another dust control measure is banning vehicles with high toxic fumes emission from roads.
Exhaust fumes inspection checkpoints have been set up by the provincial Land Transport Department office and traffic police for random smoke tests on vehicles. (TNA)
