According to the measurement on the morning of 9 February, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Yangon reached 192, the highest throughout history. Yangon’s AQI is higher than those in Bangkok and Beijing.
The AQI is calculated from the concentrations of the pollutants: carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ground level ozone and particulate matter.
Ko Kyaw Wai Thwin from the Air Quality Yangon said: “The air quality in Yangon reaches the red level in the morning, the orange level in the afternoon and the yellow level in the evening. We upload posts on the facebook page titled “Air Quality Yangon” in the morning and in the evening every day.”
U Win Myo Thu, Chair of Green Motherland Development Association said: “Air pollution in Yangon is linked to the diesel-run vehicles and smokes from the factories. The use of low-quality diesel may compound the air pollution problem. The authorities are conducting checks on the majority of diesel imported by the private companies. But they should thoroughly check whether they import low and cheap diesel or not. The next point is factories and plants are using available fuels as they need energy demands. They should use the mixed fuels which produce less smoke instead of coal. Bangkok’s air polluation is higher than Yangon. But it depends on time.”
There are six colour codes for the air quality index. Green (0-50) is good, yellow (51-100), moderate, orange (101-150), unhealthy for sensitive groups, red (151-200), unhealthy, purple (201-300), very unhealthy and maroon (301-500), hazardous.
