OUR AIR POLLUTION POLICY
- Bangkok Dolphins uses the official Thai government site for Air Quality and Noise Management together with the localised reading for each venue from the IQ Air Website.
- Air Quality and Noise Management Bureau of Thailand. LINK TO PAGE
- IQ Air Website. LINK TO PAGE
- For each venue we refer to the closest monitoring station.
- Racquet Club & Soi 39 – LINK TO PAGE
- Yenakart & Goethe – LINK TO PAGE
- Udomsuk – LINK TO PAGE
- We refer to 2 sets of air pollution data: the general Air Quality Index (AQI) and also readings for PM 2.5.
- The table on this page shows ranges of air pollution for both types of reading together with our responses.
- We use the 24 hour average for both the PM 2.5 and AQI measurements as per the USA EPA guideline.
Our Process
- Our Racquet Club office checks the information each morning from the IQ Air site. If there is an elevated reading the office will monitor the site hourly.
- Of the two data sets (AQI and PM 2.5), we will act on the reading which indicates the greatest level of risk as defined on the table below.
- For AQI over 150 we will continue to make checks throughout the day. If unhealthy levels are indicated and classes need to be cancelled, we will contact parents.
PM 2.5 (24hr) | Air Quality Index (24hr) | Health Effects | Precautionary Actions defined by US EPA* | Bangkok Dolphins Policy | Communication | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Good | <12 | <50 | Air quality is considered as satisfactory.
Little to no risk. | None.
| All Classes: Unaffected.
| None.
|
Moderate | 13 – 35 | 51 – 100 | Air quality is acceptable. However, for some pollutants, a very small number of sensitive individuals may experience moderate health concerns. | People who are unusually sensitive to pollutants should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. | All Classes: Unaffected. | None.
|
Caution for Sensitive | 36 – 55 | 101 – 150 | Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. | People with respiratory or heart disease should limit prolonged exertion. | All Classes: Swimming will continue as planned.
There may be some modifications to avoid prolonged exertion for those with unusual sensitivity to pollutants. | None.
|
Caution for All | 56 – 150 | 151 – 200 | Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. | People with respiratory or heart disease should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion. | All Classes: Non squad swimming will continue as planned (30 minute lessons). For squad swimmers, modifications to reduce the intensity and/or time periods. Parents may decide to keep children at home and make up classes will be provided. | None.
|
Unhealthy | 151 – 250 | 201 – 300 | Health alert is triggered: everyone may experience the effects. | People with respiratory or heart disease should avoid any outdoor activity; everyone else should avoid prolonged exertion. | Bangkok Dolphins will be closed.
Make up classes will be provided. | Bangkok Dolphins to notify parents.
|
Hazardous | >250 | >301 | Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected. | Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion and remain indoors. | Bangkok Dolphins will be closed.
Make up classes will be provided. | Bangkok Dolphins to notify parents.
|
* Source: Environmental Protection Agency (USA). EPA defines ‘polonged exertion’ as activity extending over a period of a few hours and causes breathing to increase more than normal.