PM2.5 dust costs Bt14.5b in Greater Bangkok

BANGKOK, February 13 (TNA) - The Kasikorn Research Center (KResearch) says that the problem of the hazardous dust, or the particulate matter of 2.5 micrometers in diameter per cubic meter (PM2.5), in Greater Bangkok is likely to persist until the end of this month, causing a total economic loss of up to about 14.5 billion baht. According to a latest KResearch report, released on February 12, the estimated figure of the economic damage to Bangkok and its peripheral provinces, caused by the hazardous dust, has been limited to only the public health and the domestic tourism sectors in terms of opportunity costs in affected areas due to its longer period than earlier anticipated. The updated KResearch report assessed that the PM2.5 dust problem in Greater Bangkok is now likely to last about 65 days, or from late last year to the end of this month, about 35 days longer than it earlier projected. The updated KResearch report cited its recent survey that showed changing behaviors of people in affected areas as indicating about 88 per cent of the respondents conceding having been affected by the hazardous dust problem and having changed their behaviors to protect themselves, like wearing face masks and adjusting their shopping, dining, travelling and outdoor exercise times and areas. (TNA)