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» 19.02.09 Smog 'doubles Chiang Mai lung cancer threat' |
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19.02.09 Smog 'doubles Chiang Mai lung cancer threat'
Source: The Nation
Due to constant exposure to seasonal smog, residents in Chiang Mai
face twice the risk of lung cancer as people elsewhere, a Chiang Mai
University medical lecturer said yesterday.
The annual risk rate for lung cancer among the population in the North
is now 40 per 100,000 people - compared to 20 per 100,000 people in
other regions, said Assoc Professor Phongthep Wiwatthanadej.
Up
to 600 Chiang Mai residents will face lung cancer risk each year, out
of a total population of 1.7 million people living in this northern
province.
Phongthep said his theory was not supported yet by any
research, but said the constant smog exposure had subjected Chiang Mai
locals to lung cancer risk, especially those living in Saraphee
district, where the highest risk rate was reported.
The rate suffered by women in the district was one the highest in the world, he said without elaborating.
The
doctor was speaking at a local seminar held by Chiang Mai University to
address the ongoing smog, which is now covering the province more
heavily, causing greater health concerns for locals.
More and
more cases of hospital treatment for those suffering from smog are
reported, which mostly involves respiratory problems and irritation to
patients' eyes.
The other provinces affected by the smog,
which is caused by forest and manmade fires, are Lampang, Lamphun,
Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai and Phetchabun.
Part of the smog is travelling from Burma.
Duangjan
Arphawatcharut, a CMU researcher, said honey producers and bee farmers
suffered a 70percent loss in revenue after flowers bloomed for only two
days before the smog hit the North.
Global warming had been already disturbing the bees' activities beforehand.
In
neighbouring Chiang Rai, the safety status will be announced in areas
where dust density exceeds a safe level of 200 micrograms per cubic
meter.
The existing dust density level is now far from
reaching that stage but local civil disaster officers are monitoring
the situation.
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