ANN/THE STAR – Worsening air quality and unhealthy levels of air pollutant PM2.5 saw about 200,000 people nationwide seeking treatment for illness linked to air pollution at hospitals and clinics this week.
Permanent Secretary for Public Health Ministry Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said this week, air pollution-related diseases showed an increasing trend, from 161,839 to 196,311 cases.
He said air pollution-related diseases reported included 583,238 cases of respiratory disease, 267,161 (skin infections), 242,805 (eye infections) and 208,880 (cardiovascular and cerebrovascular).
From January 1 to March 5 this year, more than 1.3 million people have fallen sick due to air pollution, he said.
“The level of PM2.5 is higher this year compared to last year (2022), partly because during the COVID-19 pandemic the number of passengers travelling decreased, thus resulting in less pollution,” he said in a statement.
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