In some parts of the world, air pollution is called an "invisible killer" because it cannot be seen in the atmosphere but greatly impacts human health. Unfortunately, levels of air pollution in Thailand are often so far in excess of World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to protect health that the invisible killer is recognisable across urban and rural landscapes. At least 40,000 premature deaths occur in Thailand every year due to air pollution exposure and the respiratory, cardiovascular, lung cancer, and other diseases it causes, making it arguably the single greatest environmental threat to the health and well-being of Thailand's population.
Fortunately, there is a growing recognition of the size of this threat and the opportunities for solutions to help reduce it. A new report recently launched at the annual Climate and Clean Air Conference being held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok by the Thai Pollution Control Department (PCD) and Climate and Clean Air Coalition outlines a strategy that could halve air pollutant emissions across Thailand over the next seven years.
