Haze poses health in Lampang

LAMPANG, March 8 (TNA) – Small dust particles at some spots in the northern province of Lampang exceed the safe limits for the eighth consecutive day. Lampang senior health official, Dr Sirichai Pataranuthaporn, said that haze from wildfires posed a health threat on local people. About 9,000 patients with respiratory illnesses weekly receive treatment at hospitals in 13 districts on average, he said. The record remains in the normal criteria, but if the forest fire continues, more impacts will be seen, he added. Meanwhile, the provincial public health office prepared to hand out 30,000 face masks for local people. They are advised to meet doctors immediately if they have eye irritation, sore throat and coughing. Today, the province’s four air quality monitoring stations reported the province’s highest level of small dust particles at 160 micrograms per cubic metre in Mae Moh district and 154 micrograms per cubic metre in the provincial seat, exceeding the safe limits at 120 micrograms per cubic metre for eight consecutive days. (TNA)