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Conversation with Prof. Dr. Siwatt Pongpiachan about Thailand’s PM 2.5 situation
PM 2.5 is micro particle matters under the size of 2.5 microns. They are known as tiny toxic air pollutants causing a persistent environmental problem and threatening the well-being of the population. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are over 7 million people each year who die from air pollution. More than 80% of world population are inescapably suffering particularly from PM 2.5.
Thailand enters the seasonal period of PM 2.5 from the months of January to April as it has become a local threat to many regions across the country. NIDA Impacts took this opportunity to invite Prof. Dr. Siwatt Pongpiachan, Director of NIDA Center for Research and Development of Disaster Prevention & Management for a talk on this topic. Prof. Dr. Siwatt Pongpiachan is a scholar with expertise in carcinogenic and mutagenic substances who have studied air pollution for a long time. He is also one of Thailand’s first advocates for the issue of air pollution especially PM 2.5 in the atmosphere.
Thailand’s current outlook on PM 2.5
The media and society have given a great emphasis on PM 2.5 since early 2019 despite a moderate amount of research being conducted on such issue prior to that. One of my roles is to advocate for the policy changes in the standard measures of air pollution levels. For example, the accepted standard for air pollution in Thailand was 50 micrograms per cubic meter before, which was twice as higher than the standard level mandated by the WHO and the US which stand at 25. After the advocacy movements across the country in civil society and academic communities, the standard level will be adjusted to 37.5 micrograms per cubic meter this June. Nonetheless, the level of carcinogenic substances has yet to be determined.
Danger of PM 2.5
It is a well-established fact that PM 2.5 is carcinogenic. A great number of research studies including those by WHO have additionally found that PM 2.5 not only causes cancer, but also other disease such as diabetes, liver and kidney diseases, and Alzheimer. This conclusion is consistent with another study that discovered that PM 2.5 causes memory loss, as evidenced by the markedly lower academic performance by students who live in the areas with high PM 2.5 level.
Research in China also found that other types of air pollutants such as PM 10, PM 2.5, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide, increase a risk in cold infection. For Covid-19, a research study in Italy hypothesized that the higher level of PM 2.5 in the northern region of the country coincides with the higher mortality rate for Covid-19.
A Harvard University study found that a unit increase in PM 2.5 results in a 15% increase in mortality rate.
The Sources of PM 2.5 and its Management
The sources of PM 2.5 problem are rather complex. In Bangkok metropolitan areas, based on my research in measuring PM 2.5 and the analysis on its chemical composition, in addition to other studies, the significant sources are exhaust fumes from vehicles, which account for 70%, along with industrial sector. Furthermore, the smog crisis occurring in the past few years from the sugar cane farm burning contributes to the problem. The open agricultural burning in the northern region of Thailand, forest fire, and vehicles’ exhaust fumes are all major contributors adding to the crisis. In Thailand in particular, smog from neighboring countries has worsened the crisis. According to a summary report on forest fire and smog analyzed from satellite data GISTDA conducted by Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, PM 2.5 pollutants that usually occur in season originate from Myanmar and Laos, much more so than from Thailand.
There are also other natural factors that play a role in worsening air pollution. Firstly, in the northern region of Thailand, the ENSO cycle, which is originated by El Niño effect from the temperature of the Pacific Ocean currents, causes seasonal drought, in turn leading to an increasing likelihood of PM 2.5 pollutants in the air. Secondly, the IOD phenomenon (Indian ocean Dipole) in positive mode causes similar effects as the ENSO cycle but instead occurs in the Indian Ocean. Thirdly, the heat dome phenomenon occurring in winter originates from the cool air currents from southern China to Thailand. With basin-shaped terrains, Thailand is a perfect geographical spot for a heat dome or heat trapping without proper ventilation. Finally, there is an excessive amount of biomass accumulated in Thailand.
The proposed measures that I have repeatedly offered over the years are first, we must restrict exhaust fumes from diesel engines while encouraging the use of clean energies including B10/NGV; adjusting standard measurements of fuel from EURO4 to EURO5; and encouraging the use of electric vehicles. Second, with respect to open agricultural burning, there must be better biomass management including providing support to farmers for recycling and upcycling waste such as using biomass for compost production, biomass power plant, price differentiation between raw and burned sugar canes to discourage farm burning. Third, for industrial sector, in addition to using clean energy in factories, the industry should be encouraged to minimize air pollutants which can be done through two approaches: Best Available Techniques or BAT and Best Environment Practices or BEP. One initiative driven by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization or UNIDO is cleaning metal scraps before recycling; for instance, eliminating oil before smelting; using various devices and tools to trap toxins and pollutants in the form of both particles and gas; using technologies in managing air pollution such as microemulsion technology in boilers in industrial factories.
Driving the Agenda for Better Air Quality
My main role in driving this agenda for better air quality is to head up the team Prime Mover under the project “Active Citizen and Prime Mover in Managing Thailand’s Air Quality” supported by Health Risk Factors Control Section, ThaiHealth Promotion Foundation. Another role is to work with UNIDO to gather support for the industrial sector to reduce the releases of toxic pollutants based on the BAT/BEP approaches. The main task is to encourage the maintenance of boilers which are the source for air pollution and the use of appropriate energy, which can be both cost-saving and profit-increasing. In the latest project I headed on eco-industrial town, I found that there was a massive amount of waste that has never been properly and correctly managed which led to numerous environmental problems. This sparked an idea for UNIDO, in collaboration with Department of Industrial Works, to organize a competition for recycling waste. The competition will take place this year.
Another role of mine is a speaker for Center for Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM) responsible for disseminating information to the public, reporting air quality, providing suggestions and guidelines on how to prevent and handle the seasonal PM 2.5 problem. The other job is a subcommittee member on the management of air pollution which offers policy suggestions for the alleviation of air pollution problems.
As to how the role of scholars impacts society, I believe the real impacts must originate from research about impacts on both humans and environment, as well as the true source of pollution. These are necessary data for the formulation of measures and policies. In addition, the research results and conclusions should also be published and presented to the public so the society can realize its importance. One voice might not be loud enough. We must work collectively and build academic ally and network with shared ideologies in order to drive the initiatives and respond to public needs. One example of these initiatives is the Prime Mover team.
Reference
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[2] An, R., Ji, M., Yan, H., & Guan, C. (2018). Impact of ambient air pollution on obesity: a systematic review. International journal of obesity, 42(6), 1112-1126.
[3] Pongpiachan, S., Tipmanee, D., Khumsup, C., Kittikoon, I., & Hirunyatrakul, P. (2015). Assessing risks to adults and preschool children posed by PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during a biomass burning episode in Northern Thailand. Science of the Total Environment, 508, 435-444.
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[6] Pongpiachan, S., Hattayanone, M., & Cao, J. (2017). Effect of agricultural waste burning season on PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels in Northern Thailand. Atmospheric pollution research, 8(6), 1069-1080.
[7] ChooChuay, C., Pongpiachan, S., Tipmanee, D., Deelaman, W., Iadtem, N., Suttinun, O., … & Cao, J. (2022). Effects of agricultural waste burning on PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbonaceous compositions, and water-soluble ionic species in the ambient air of Chiang-Mai, Thailand. Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, 42(3), 749-770.
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[11] https://www.pcd.go.th/pcd_news/26385
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[19] Pongpiachan, S., Wiriwutikorn, T., Phetsomphou, P., Jieam, K., Vongxay, K., Choviran, K., … & Centeno, C. (2019). Data relating to emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) from industrial boilers. Data in brief, 22, 286-295.
[20] Pongpiachan, S., Wiriwutikorn, T., Rungruang, C., Yodden, K., Sbrilli, A., Gobbi, M., & Centeno, C. Emissions of PCDD/PCDF from Industrial Boilers at Whisky Factory and Vegetable Oil Factory in Samutsakorn Province, Thailand.
[21] Pongpiachan, S., Wiriwutikorn, T., Rungruang, C., Yodden, K., Sbrilli, A., Gobbi, M., & Centeno, C. (2013). Occupational exposure to PCDD/PCDF from industrial boilers at a whisky factory and vegetable oil factory in Samutsakorn Province, Thailand. WIT Transactions on The Built Environment, 134, 785-799.
[22] Pongpiachan, S., Wiriwutikorn, T., Sbrilli, A., Gobbi, M., Hashmi, M. Z., & Centeno, C. (2019). Influence of Fuel Type on Emission Profiles of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins and Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans from Industrial Boilers. Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds.
[23] https://anyflip.com/mgrpw/aivk/basic
[24] https://anyflip.com/mgrpw/gwgw
บทสัมภาษณ์ผลงานวิชาการของ ศ. ดร.ศิวัช พงษ์เพียจันทร์ ตามสื่อต่างๆ
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW0nrUlawsQ&t=10s
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6AcJmJl6js&t=57s
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SaOuxHHPSg
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K11lD9KLS2o
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H7S-T28x-c&t=4s
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-LK3QA2Qwk&t=178s
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1d0YP6_IfI
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MEvIBBcyS8
[9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia53h8qdo0w