The study aimed to assess the human health risk of PM_2.5-bound heavy metals from anthropogenic sources in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand between December 2020 and February 2021. According to the findings, the geometric mean concentration of PM_2.5 in the university area, residential area, industrial zone, and the agricultural zone was 32.78 μg/m³, 50.25 μg/m³, 44.48 μg/m³, and 29.53 μg/m³, respectively. The results showed that the estimated human health risk assessment, in terms of non-carcinogenic risks among children and adults in an urban area (residential and university), industrial zone, and the agricultural area, was of hazard index (HI) value of >1.0 indicating a greater chance of chronic effects occurring. This study showed that exposure to PM_2.5-bound heavy metal may increase the likelihood that lasting effects will result in a very high carcinogenic risk (CR) in children in residential areas, and an industrial zone with total carcinogenic risk (TCR) values of $0.23\times {10}^1$, and $0.12\times {10}^1$, respectively while resulting in a high TCR of $3.34\times {10}^{-2}$ and $4.11\times {10}^{-2}$ within the university areas and agricultural zone, respectively. In addition, health risk assessments among adults demonstrate high TCR values of $4.40\times {10}^{-1}$ (residential area), $2.28\times {10}^{-1}$ (industrial zone), and $7.70\times {10}^{-3}$ (agricultural zone), thus indicating a potential health risk to adults living in these areas while the university area was very low effects on carcinogenic risk ($\mathrm{CR}\le {10}^{-8}$) for adults. Therefore, lowering the risk of exposure to PM_2.5 via the respiratory tract, for example, wearing a mask outside is a very effective self-defense strategy for people within and around the study site. This data study strongly supports the implementation of the air pollutant emission source reduction measures control and health surveillance.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a complex group of chemicals that pose a direct risk to human health. They also lead to the formation of other air pollution constituents, including fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and ground level ozone (O₃). The ambient air concentrations of 19 VOCs were measured using multi-day 24 h sampling at two urban sites and two rural sites in the area of Khon Kaen, Thailand. Results showed that most VOCs were at concentrations considered acceptable according to the 24 h average standards established by the Thai Pollution Control Department. The VOC acrolein, however, was detected at concentrations (0.69–1.15 μg/m³) in excess of the 24 h average standard (0.55 μg/m³). Two other VOCs, benzene and 1,3-butadiene, were also detected at elevated levels (1.73–2.75 and 0.18–0.40 μg/m³, respectively) that indicated the potential to exceed the 1-year average standard. VOC concentrations were highest in the urban market monitoring site, suggesting that vehicle exhaust and food preparation using cooking oil at high temperatures may have been potential sources of the elevated VOCs.

Air pollution and health effects in communities near industrial areas are matters of concern in Thailand. Elevated air pollution concentrations are associated with morbidity and mortality arising from lower respiratory tract illness. In this study, we aimed to assess whether living in a community near a new industrial estate in Central Thailand was associated with an elevated incidence of lower respiratory tract illness (LRTI) among the elderly. We used data on hospital admissions from a primary hospital and sub-district-level health-promoting hospitals in six sub-districts located within a radius of 5 km from the industrial estate, between 1 November 2023 and 31 March 2024, using a cross-sectional study design. There were 1311 elderly individuals living within a radius of 3 km and 1488 between 3 and 5 km. We found a statistically significant increased risk of hospitalization for LRTI in the elderly living within a radius of less than 3 km (odds ratio: 3.43 [95% CI: 1.61–7.36] compared to those living in a radius between 3 and 5 km. Our results provide strong support for an association between hospitalization for LRTI and living distance from a new industrial estate.

Indoor air quality is an important aspect of buildings, including libraries where various activities take place. This study aimed to investigate indoor air quality in different microenvironments in a library in Thailand. The indoor air monitoring was conducted in a library for 4 microenvironments: reading, librarian, cafe shop, and photocopy shop zone. Respiratory dust and bioaerosols were analyzed using NIOSH methods 0600, and 0800, respectively. Air movements were determined using an anemometer. Particulate matters (PM) were measured using DustTrak; carbon dioxide and comfort parameters were measured using Q-TRAK with 30-minute average for 8 hours. The results showed that the means of respiratory dust, PM10, PM4, PM2.5 in all zones met the standard, however, temporary variation revealed that PM4 and PM2.5 exceeded the standard in the afternoon. Fungal concentration was above 500 cfu/m3 in the photocopy shop zone where the highest %RH and the lowest air movement were found. Carbon dioxide concentrations in the cafe shop zone exceeded 1,000 ppm. The real-time measurements showed significant strong correlations between the different PM sizes, moderate correlations between %RH and temperature, and CO2 and PM10. The findings suggest that preventive and corrective measures should be implemented to improve indoor air quality in the library.

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a leading cause of disability globally. In Thailand, WMSD incidence is high among people in several occupations. University faculty members who regularly use computers for long hours are an at-risk group. The aim of study is to determine prevalence and risk factors of WMSD for targeted interventions. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study collected data online via Google Forms from 640 university faculty members between November 2023 and March 2024 and analyzed them using a General Linear Mixed Model (GLMM). Results: This study revealed a 58.9% prevalence of severe and very severe WMSDs in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Significant risk factors of WMDs (p<0.001) included gender, stress, poor posture, and use of non-ergonomic workstations. Women were at 1.94 times greater risk of WMSDs than men. Those with severe stress were 4.80 times more likely to experience WMSDs than people with moderate stress. Faculty with inappropriate postures had a 2.67 times higher risk of WMSDs, and non-ergonomic workstations increased WMSD likelihood by 1.65 times. Conclusion: The prevalence of severe and very severe WMSDs was almost high, and four factors that contribute to WMSDs among university faculty members are gender, severe stress, poor posture, and use of non-ergonomic workstations. Faculty should be made aware of the high prevalence of WMSDs, take preventative measures in stress management, and use appropriate postures. Universities should provide ergonomic workstations and educate faculty on the risk factors associated with WMSD.

Air pollution and health effects in communities near industrial areas are a matter of con-cern in Thailand. Elevated air pollution concentrations are associated with morbidity and mortality arising from the lower respiratory tract. In this study, we aimed to assess if liv-ing in a community near a new industrial estate in central Thailand was associated with an elevated incidence of lower respiratory tract illness (LRTI) among the elderly. We used data on hospital admissions from a primary hospital and sub-district health promoting hospitals in six sub-districts located within a radius of 5 kilometers from the industrial estate between 1st November 2023 and 31st March 2024, using a cross-sectional study de-sign. There were 1,311 elderly are living within a radius of 3 kilometers and 1,488 between 3 and 5 kilometers. We found a statistically significant increased risk of hospitalization for LRTI in the elderly living within a radius of less than 3 kilometers (odds ratio 3.43 [95%CI: 1.61- 7.36]), compared to those living in a radius between 3 and 5 kilometers. Our results provide strong support for the associations between hospitalization for LRTI and living distance from the new industrial estate.