An official from the TSMC explained that a combination of low humidity, high temperature and falling pressure results in particles of dust and pollutants from traffic rising into the air.
An official from the Public Health Department, which measures air quality, confirmed that air pollution is still below the generally accepted level that might cause health problems.
She said that Phuket’s Air Quality Index (AQI) today, according to the Pollution Control Department, was a low 50.
Accoirding to the monitoring website aqicn.org, an AQI of 0-50 is regarded as “satisfactory … posing little or no risk”.
By contrast, in Chiang Mai yesterday the AQI hit a massive 441, according to Chiangmai City Life. A score of 300 or more is rated as “hazardous … everyone may experience more serious health effects”.