Air quality in Ko Chang Tai

Is the air in Ko Chang Tai polluted?

Ko Chang Tai does not have overtly poor levels of air pollution throughout the year, although there may be months in which the air quality becomes slightly poorer, potentially leading to health problems and other environmental issues related to higher pollution levels. In late October of 2021, Ko Chang Tai was on record with a US AQI reading of 29, placing it into the 'good' air quality rating bracket for the particular day and time in which this was taken. Other higher readings went up to 79 in the same period, placing Ko Chang Tai into the 'moderate' bracket, indicating fluctuating levels. Whilst October in Ko Chang Tai generally maintains a better level of air quality, the months following this may have higher pollution levels, with the most polluted months of the year being discussed in further detail at the end of the article.

Why is Ko Chang Tai subject to air pollution throughout the year?

Many of the main contributing factors in rising levels of air pollution in Ko Chang Tai are ones such as the exhaust fumes released from the vehicles in use on the road. With cars, motorbikes and heavier freight vehicles such as lorries and trucks in use on the road, they all compound the pollution situation and add to the overall PM2.5 and US AQI levels. It is not uncommon in Ko Chang Ta for many of these vehicles to be significantly aged, damaged, or in a poorer condition due to years of usage, which puts a greater strain on the environment due to the higher output of pollution released, due to the poor combustion process that takes place within run-down engines. Large amounts of oil vapors, hazardous particles and chemical compounds are released from these more aged vehicles, far more than what be seen emanating from newer or more environmentally-friendly models. Referring back to the heavier freight vehicles contributing to pollution levels, their greater weight and size can add to the wear and tear of the tire treads, which as a result can give off tons of microscopic rubber particles. This causes particle pollution to go up by a large amount, as well as impacting the soil and various ecosystems around it. Other sources of air pollution include dust from construction sites, road repairs, and even demolition sites (all of which can be a major source of particulate matter, far more than many people are aware of), along with the burning of trash, although this continues to be on the decline in more developed areas and around Ko Chang Tai, and mostly an ongoing issue within certain provinces or further away from any major cities.

Are there health problems associated with breathing the air in Ko Chang Tai?

Exposure to high levels of air pollution in Ko Chang Tai can bring about all manner of dangerous conditions, particularly to certain individuals who fall into the more sensitive or vulnerable group bracket. However, even healthier and younger adults can potentially succumb to the adverse effects of air pollution, if said exposure is excessive, or taken in over a long time (particularly for those who live near highly polluted areas such as industrial zones and districts, or nearer to busy roads and highways, where the air quality will be of significantly poorer quality for much of the year). Many conditions that may arise as a result of breathing excessive amounts of pollution in Ko Chang Tai would be the standard short-term illnesses such as dry throat and coughs, as well as chest pains and mild infections of the respiratory tract. These can potentially resolve themselves quickly when exposure to air pollution is lessened or ceased altogether, and as such, they can be considered as more short-term or acute health issues. There is the possibility, however, that they may also develop into more long-term or chronic issues, with continuous chest infections and coughing leading to the eventual scarring of lung tissue, which usually results in permanently decreased lung capacity. As well as this, the scarring or damage and inflammation to the tissue of the lungs can make one more vulnerable to a whole host of respiratory distress, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presenting itself. This is an umbrella term that refers to a multitude of different lung and respiratory tract conditions, typically resulting in shortness of breath as well as making an individual at greater risk of severe damage from pollution exposure. Some further conditions that fall under the COPD bracket are one such as pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema as well as asthma. Other forms of damage that can happen within the body include increased risk of cancer, heart attacks, strokes and arrhythmias, as well as ischemic heart disease and many other cardiac or pulmonary conditions that can bring about decreased quality of life as well as lower life expectancy.

What types of pollution can be found in the air in Ko Chang Tai?

The main pollutants present in Ko Chang Tai would be the chemical compounds that form the US AQI reading, which are found anywhere that sees any forms of industrial activity, or combustion sources taking place. They are nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone, or smog as it is better known when it gathers in larger amounts. The various oxides of nitrogen (NOx) that are also released by cars and combustion sources can undergo a chemical reaction and form ozone under the correct conditions (these being a higher exposure to the UV rays present in sunlight), along with other gases and chemical compounds also adding to the formation of ozone. Other pollutants that can be found include black carbon, which is the main component in soot, and a potent carcinogen when inhaled, making it a very dangerous form of PM2.5 that also has climate-changing properties. Along with black carbon, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Ko Chang Ta are also formed from the incomplete combustion of both fossil fuels and organic matter. Some examples of VOCs that can be found in Ko Chang Tai are ones such as benzene, formaldehyde, styrene, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene and toluene, all of which are extremely harmful to one’s health, with both benzene and black carbon being well known as carcinogens.

When are pollution levels at their highest in Ko Chang Tai?

Observing the pollution data gathered throughout 2020, it can be seen that Ko Chang Tai had its highest PM2.5 readings in the months of March and April, as well as November and December also having heightened readings, with all of the above-mentioned months falling into the 'moderate' air quality rating bracket. Whilst data was missing for January and February, it is most likely these months were the most highly polluted of the year, but due to lack of calibrated data, they were omitted from the year's report. These patterns as mentioned are very typical of many cities and towns throughout Thailand, following the slash and burn farming seasons in regards to the PM2.5 levels present. Out of all of these months, November came in with the highest reading at 17.2 μg/m³.