Browsing by Author "Insight Analysis Group"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • No Thumbnail Available
    PublicationMetadata only
    Cigarette waste in popular beaches in thailand: High densities that demand environmental action
    (2018-04-01) Nipapun Kungskulniti; Naowarut Charoenca; Stephen L. Hamann; Siriwan Pitayarangsarit; Jeremiah Mock; Mahidol University; Insight Analysis Group; Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology; Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center
    © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Thailand, like all nations, has a responsibility to initiate environmental actions to preserve marine environments. Low- and middle-income countries face difficulties implementing feasible strategies to fulfill this ambitious goal. To contribute to the revitalization of Thailand’s marine ecosystems, we investigated the level of tobacco product waste (TPW) on Thailand’s public beaches. We conducted a cross-sectional observational survey at two popular public beaches. Research staff collected cigarette butts over two eight-hour days walking over a one-kilometer stretch of beach. We also compiled and analyzed data on butts collected from sieved sand at 11 popular beaches throughout Thailand’s coast, with 10 samples of sieved sand collected per beach. Our survey at two beaches yielded 3067 butts in lounge areas, resulting in a mean butt density of 0.44/m2. At the 11 beaches, sieved sand samples yielded butt densities ranging from 0.25 to 13.3/m2, with a mean butt density of 2.26/m2 (SD = 3.78). These densities show that TPW has become a serious problem along Thailand’s coastline. Our findings are comparable with those in other countries. We report on government and civil society initiatives in Thailand that are beginning to address marine TPW. The solution will only happen when responsible parties, especially and primarily tobacco companies, undertake actions to eliminate TPW.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    PublicationMetadata only
    Secondhand smoke point-source exposures assessed by particulate matter at two popular public beaches in Thailand
    (2018-01-01) Nipapun Kungskulniti; Naowarut Charoenca; Jeremiah Mock; Stephen Lorin Hamann; Mahidol University; Insight Analysis Group; Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology; Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center
    © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health. All rights reserved. Background Throughout Asia, smoking is commonplace at crowded public beaches. Evidence has clearly shown the dangers of secondhand smoke (SHS) indoors, but no naturalistic studies have determined levels of SHS in outdoor air. Methods We measured SHS exposure at two public beaches in Thailand where families lounge in beach chairs under beach umbrellas. Researchers unobtrusively collected PM2.5 in close proximity to smokers by placing instruments downwind from smokers. We collected 88 samples of second-by-second measurements over 10-min periods. The density of people, smokers and children in each sampling area was also recorded. Results At the two beaches, mean levels were 260 and 504 μg/m3; peak levels reaching up to 716 and 1335 μg/m3. Five of the 88 samples were below the outdoor standard for Thailand of 50 μg/m3. Density counts in sampled zones were up to 4 smokers and 15 children under 12 years of age. Findings show high beach exposures suggesting regulatory protections, especially for children whose exposures can produce multiple health consequences. Conclusions Action should be taken to prohibit smoking on Thai beaches as in other outdoor settings because peak levels of PM2.5 almost always exceeded the outdoor standard in Thailand and pose a danger to health.