7 measures to slash emissions unveiled

In a bid to control a major source of the fine particulate matter PM2.5, the Department of Land Transport yesterday announced a raft of measures to reduce emissions from vehicles.

Jirut Wisanjit, director-general of The Department of Land Transport (DLT) said seven measures have been put in place in a bid to curb and bring down PM2.5 levels.

They are; cancelling and pausing car registration renewal for vehicles that exceed PM2.5 smog levels; deploying more staff to check vehicles; working with the Pollution Control Department (PCD) to inspect vehicle exhaust emissions in hot spots; making sure that centres licenced to inspect car conditions check PM2.5 emitted from cars; working with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) and The Transport Company to inspect exhaust levels; opening a hotline (1584) and social media page for people to lodge complaints and give tip-offs on vehicles that emit black smog; and working with private companies and associations related to public buses and vans to improve PM2.5 emissions checks.

Since October last year until September, 122,370 vehicles have had their exhaust inspected and 3,520 of them were found to emit pollutants, including PM2.5, beyond the permitted level, according to Mr Jirut.

For vehicles that exceed permitted PM2.5 levels, the DLT will fine the driver 5,000 baht. Moreover, a vehicle that exceeds smog levels will be marked with spray paint indicating its suspension from use.

This ban will be lifted only after the owner of the car has the engine refitted to reduce PM2.5 emissions.

In a related development, Bangkok’s air quality became relatively breathable thanks to rain yesterday which has helped dissipate the pollutants.

The level of PM2.5 in Bangkok and neighbouring areas, as measured by the PCD’s air stations yesterday, ranged between 10-38 microgrammes per cubic metre (μg/m³), below the socalled safe 50 μg/m³ threshold.