Air pollution continues to plague northern region

Fire engines are deployed to spray water in a bid to lessen thick smog in the centre of Chiang Rai province on Monday. (Photo: Public Relations Department)

Hazardous levels of PM2.5 dust were again recorded in the North and upper Northeast on Monday morning, peaking at 550 microgrammes per cubic metre of air over 24 hours in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district.

The Pollution Control Department reported the levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and less in diameter (PM2.5) ranged from 37-550 microgrammes per cubic metre of air in the region over the past 24 hours as of 10am. The government-set safe threshold is 50, higher than in most countries.