Bangkok Battles Toxic Air with Bleeding Noses and Bloody Eyes

The thick smog and choking air pollution has badly affected the health of many in Bangkok and as the air quality in Thailand’s capital is hovering at an unhealthy level, many people have taken severely ill, while some sharing horrifying pictures of them coughing out blood, having blood red eyes with their concerns about the deteriorating air in the city.

According to the Department of Pollution Control, the hazardous dust particles known as PM 2.5 have exceeded the safe level in 41 areas around the capital. It is a mixture of liquid drops and solid particles that also include dust soot and smoke.

The discontent of the people has surfaced on the social media and television, with pollution-related hashtag trending and the conventional media including TV channels are seen advising viewers to wear a specific type of facemasks, to safeguard themselves.

Meanwhile, a Thai man shared his account, on how what he perceived to be a fever turned out to severe effects of the murky air and which has affected his health to the point that he coughed out blood. He shared the post on Facebook with a photograph, which was later widely shared on social media.

Many other residents shared horrific images of bleeding noses and blood red eyes and shared details of the various other ailments because of the pollution. They advised everyone to take care of their health urged authorities to take appropriate action.

The severe increase of air pollution level also forced schools to close in the Thai capital for the rest of the week and authorities have declared a ban on cars that are run on diesel.

The reasons for the persistent smog are identified as vehicles on Bangkok’s traffic-strewn roads emitting carbon dioxide, pollution from factories and the burning of fields by farmers outside the city.

To deal with the alarming situation, the weather department has seeded clouds to provoke rain, sprayed overpasses with water to catch micropollutants and even urged people not to burn incense ahead of the Chinese New Year. Army troops have also been asked to inspect factories across the country. So far, these restricted efforts have bought no effect to reduce the level of pollution that has shrouded the city.

Last week, airvisual.com, which measures the pollution levels in cities worldwide, ranked Bangkok as the fifth most polluted city. The authorities are tensed over the issue. At the same time, the government’s weak response to deal with the issues has started a political debate in the tourism-dependent nation.