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Roadside particulate air pollution in Bangkok.
Wanida Jinsart1, Kenji Tamura, Samarnchai Loetkamonwit
1Department of General Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. jwanida@chula.ac.th
Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)
|September 25, 2002
Summary
Airborne fine particles, specifically PM10 and PM2.5, were measured in Bangkok. High pollution areas exceeded Thailand
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Air Quality Monitoring
- Public Health
Background:
- Airborne particulate matter (PM) poses significant environmental and health risks.
- Understanding PM levels in urban environments like Bangkok is crucial for public health.
- Previous studies highlighted concerns regarding PM concentrations in Thailand.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure and analyze airborne fine particles (PM2.5-10 and PM2.5) in Bangkok and surrounding areas.
- To assess personal exposure levels of traffic police to particulate matter.
- To investigate the correlation between ambient PM levels, personal exposure, and traffic-related pollutants.
Main Methods:
- Airborne PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were measured in high-polluted (H) and low-polluted (L) areas.
- Simultaneous measurements of roadside PM10 were conducted alongside Thailand Pollution Control Department (PCD) monitoring stations.
- Personal exposure monitoring was performed, and data from PCD stations (PM10, NO2, SO2, O3) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- PM10 levels in high-pollution areas frequently exceeded Thailand's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
- PM2.5 levels in high-pollution areas were significantly higher than in low-pollution areas and exceeded the U.S. EPA standard.
- A strong correlation was observed between ambient PM levels and personal exposures (r=0.92), with roadside PM10 higher than monitoring stations.
- PM10 showed a strong correlation with NO2, indicating automobile exhaust as a primary source.
- Bangkok traffic police experienced high levels of automobile-derived particulate air pollution.
Conclusions:
- Airborne particulate matter, particularly PM2.5 and PM10, represents a significant environmental health hazard in Bangkok.
- Traffic police are particularly vulnerable to high concentrations of automobile-derived particulate pollution.
- The findings underscore the need for effective traffic emission control strategies to improve urban air quality.