VIENTIANE : The Ministry of Health has advised members of the public to limit outdoor activities given the current high levels of airborne particulate matter (PM), with the amount of particles having a diameter of 2.5 microns or less rising to unsafe levels.

Particles of this small size can enter the lungs and cause severe respiratory illness. Laos is currently experiencing unprecedented levels of PM2.5 pollution, with thick haze covering most parts of the country.

The ministry advises pregnant woman, children and elderly people, and people with a chronic respiratory disease, to stay indoors as much as possible.

Authorities in Thaphabath district, Borikhamxay province, have instructed all schools in the district to close temporarily due to the severe air pollution in the province and especially Thaphabath district, where PM2.5 levels greatly exceed the recommended safe level and people’s health is at risk.

PM2.5 levels have risen to hazardous levels because of forest fires in many areas of the country.

The Ministry of Health has issued a notice to ministries and provinces about the harmful effects of fine particular matter, warning that it can have a harmful effect on the lungs, with children and elderly people being most at risk.

People with asthma, any chronic lung disease or cardiovascular disease are also at risk of exacerbated symptoms, which could prove fatal. The ministry advises against going outdoors unless essential, and wearing a face mask at all times when outside to reduce inhalation of fine ash or dust.

Prolonged outdoor activities such as exercise should be avoided, while it is advisable to drink plenty of water and drinks with mineral salts. Anyone with abnormal health symptoms is advised to see a doctor immediately.

The current high level of particulate matter over Laos, with the highest concentrations occurring in Borikhamxay, Luang Prabang and Xieng Khuang provinces, is caused by the burning of scrubland to clear land in preparation for crop growing, and general burning of garbage and leaves, according to the Meteorology and Hydrology Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The World Health Organisation sets the average standard level of PM2.5 at 25μg/m3 of air over a 24 hour period which, if exceeded, is considered dangerous to human health.

  - ANN