Influence of the meteorological conditions and some pollutants on PM10 concentrations in Lamphun, Thailand

• Published in: Journal of environmental health science and engineering 2021-06, Vol.19 (1), p.237-249
• Main Authors: Kliengchuay, Wissanupong, Worakhunpiset, Suwalee, Limpanont, Yanin, Meeyai, Aronrag Cooper, Tantrakarnapa, Kraichat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air pollution; Analysis; Correlation coefficient; Correlation coefficients; Dry season; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Economics; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Environmental Health; Environmental Law/Policy/Ecojustice; Local communities; Nitrogen dioxide; Particulate emissions; Particulate matter; Pollutants; Pollution control; Public health; Quality of Life Research; Relative humidity; Research Article; Statistical analysis; Warning systems; Waste Management/Waste Technology; Weather
• ISSN: 2052-336X; 2052-336X
• DOI: 10.1007/s40201-020-00598-2

Particulate matter (PM) has been occurring regularly during the dry season in the upper north of Thailand including Lamphun Province that might be influenced by various factors including climatologic and other pollutants. This paper aims to investigate the climatologic and gaseous factors influencing the occurrence of PM 10 concentration using Pollution Control Department (PCD) data. The secondary data of 2009 to 2017 obtained from the PCD was used for analysis. We used descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, multiple regression and graphic presentation using R program (R packages of ‘open air’ and ‘ncdf4’) and Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet®. In addition, the periodic measurement of PM 2.5 and PM 10 were investigated to determine the ratio of PM 2.5 /PM 10 . The results indicated that haze episodes (daily PM 10 concentration always over the PCD standard) normally occur during the dry season from February to April. The maximum concentration was always found in March. The PM 10 concentration was negatively associated with relative humidity and temperature while the PM 10 concentration showed a strongly positive association with CO and NO 2 concentration with correlation values of 0.70 and 0.57, respectively. Furthermore, we found CO and PM 10 concentration was associated with ozone concentration. This finding will benefit local communities and the public health sector to provide a warning system for preparation and response plans to react to PM 10 episodes in their responsible areas.