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.

Low‐cost PM_2.5 sensors are the key to creating high‐resolution monitoring networks for localized reporting and increased public awareness. A low‐cost PM_2.5 sensor using light‐scattering technology Public Health Particulate Matter (PHPM) was developed and validated against measurements from a commercial device that reports real‐time aerosol concentration and also collects gravimetric samples (DustTrak DRX Aerosol Monitor 8533). Linear regression of measurements from a controlled indoor site and three ambient air sites found that the novel PM_2.5 sensor correlated well with the measured PM_2.5 concentrations (r ≥ 0.90) at the three ambient air locations with PM_2.5 concentrations ranging from 48 to 602 μg/m³ measured at 30‐minute intervals. The correlation was lower (r = 0.71) at the chamber, which used incense as a particulate matter source. The PHPM data of PM_2.5 concentrations was using multiply with 2.33. The hope is that the PHPM device can provide an additional tool for participatory in community and increased public awareness about PM_2.5 in Thailand. This PHPM device is more suitable for ambient air than the chamber. The PHPM device is inexpensive, portable, and can be charged with a power bank.