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The Department of Health warns the public that PM2.5 dust affects the lungs – the risk of cancer, revealing that in 2019, more than 31,000 Thai people died from dust in the atmosphere, and recommended reducing outdoor activities when the dust value is high.
From the small dust situation, PM2.5, which tends to increase At the level beginning to affect health (orange color), spreading in various sectors at the moment, especially in Bangkok and its vicinity.
Most recently, Dr. Suwanchai Wattana Yingcharoenchai The Director-General of the Department of Health said that if people are exposed to PM2.5 small dust particles in the long term, it will affect their health. cause disease in the respiratory system Cardiovascular system and lung cancer
Because of the small dust particles, PM2.5 will cause lung tissue inflammation. Affects the process of abnormal division within the cell. resulting in cancer cells If received in large quantities and long term
It also contains some cancer-causing chemicals, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Or volatile organic compounds, which result in lung cancer as well, which the International Cancer Research Organization (International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC, 2013) states that air pollution And dust less than 2.5 microns in size (PM2.5) is a carcinogen in humans.
Exposure to PM2.5 is one of the causes of lung cancer. In addition to getting cigarette smoke or in a workplace with carcinogenic substances Or it could be genetic.
According to the study of the disease burden of the Health Organization in 2019, it was found that 31,081 Thai people died from dust in the atmosphere.
- Ischemic heart disease (11,408 cases)
- Stroke 7,274 cases
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 3,043 cases
- Lung cancer 2,464 cases
In addition, illnesses from air pollution from the health data warehouse. The Ministry of Public Health found that illnesses from air pollution tend to increase every year. Including lung cancer, in 2022, 189,713 cases of lung cancer were reported, representing 291.18 per hundred thousand population.
The Department of Health asks people and risk groups such as children, asthma patients, the elderly to protect themselves from PM2.5 dust as follows:
- Reduce outdoor activity and stay indoors or indoors more.
- Should wear a mask to prevent PM2.5 dust when going outdoors.
- Refrain from exercising or doing strenuous activities in dusty places. Refrain from smoking.
If there are abnormal symptoms such as irritation in the respiratory tract, sore nose, sore throat, difficulty breathing, easily tired, or coughing, consult a doctor immediately. And to help reduce dust-causing activities for good health in the long term.
In addition, people should monitor themselves by evaluating symptoms from exposure to PM2.5, along with receiving advice on basic health care at the website. “4HealthPM2.5” or the website “Online Pollution Clinic” and if there are severe symptoms such as chest tightness, difficulty breathing, easily tired, wheezing. to see a doctor
If you want more information, you can inquire at Department of Health hotline 1478 or Department of Disease Control 1422
