Cabinet informed of anti-PM2.5 plans

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Bangkok – The Cabinet was advised on Tuesday of the short, medium, and long-term plans laid out by the National Environment Committee to address air pollution caused by particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter.

The situation is expected to return to normal before May this year as the committee has been tasked with compiling and documenting lessons learnt so as to develop long-term prevention strategies to maintain clean city air.

Medium-term strategies include reducing PM2.5 emissions, eliminating PM2.5 origins, and making all vehicles meet Euro 5 emissions standards by 2021.

Long term strategies, to be executed from 2022 to 2027, include lowering the acceptable limits of exhaust emissions to Euro 6 standards; building towers to monitor air pollution; making burning in open air a criminal offense; and promoting electric vehicles.

The Cabinet then agreed to set up PM2.5 monitoring and tackling centers at the provincial level tasked with maintaining air quality in their respective areas.