Ministry concerned about worsening air quality in Bangkok

The Bangkok Post reported that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Pollution Control Department predicts significant deterioration of the air quality in Bangkok as the number of private cars in the city increases. The prediction is backed by a survey conducted by the department in 2011, which concluded that the level of benzene detected by four quality measurement stations in Bangkok was well above the safe air quality standard of 1.7mg/m3, ranging from 3.6 to a high of 6.3mg/m3, in the four areas measured. Benzene is known to be carcinogenic and while it occurs naturally, it is primarily used as an additive for petroleum products; its use is currently restricted in many countries.
The Energy Ministry and the Pollution Control Department have introduced new Euro 4 fuel that contains only 1% benzene, compared to 3.5% used in the previous formula, but they observed that authorities have not done enough to conduct awareness campaigns to encourage motorists to switch to the cleaner fuel.
Citing the success of the government’s incentive for first-time car buyers, Wichien Jungrungruang, the department’s director-general, estimates that half of the 1.2 million cars sold under the scheme would be added to those already on Bangkok roads. He added that more air safety measurements will be set up, and that officials will be instructed to keep watch on the quality of air in the city. (December 31,2012)