In the News
March 11, 2019
Those living in the most-polluted corners of the realm may live four years less than they may have elsewhere, according to a recent study.
Prolonged exposure to ultrafine particles called PM2.5 caused life expectancy of Thais to decrease by over two years on average compared to those living in areas that meet World Health Organization air quality standards, according to an analysis of conditions in 2016, which many worry has worsened since then.
On average, Bangkokians will live 2.4 years less, while people in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai will respectively see 3.6 and 3.9 fewer summers, according to the Air Quality Life Index report published Wednesday by the University of Chicago. The index assesses the impact of particulate air pollution on life expectancy.
The report cited growth in the industrial sector and increased vehicle emissions for a 23-percent increase in Bangkok’s air pollution since 1998, when it took 1.7 years off people’s lives.