“Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! I wonder who is talking about me, making me sneeze all day long, leaving no time to work. Who is complaining about me, making me sneeze, Achoo! Achoo!”

You might find yourself singing this song all day long as many people are suffering from the effects of air pollution or PM 2.5 dust particles that disturb the respiratory system, causing sneezing, coughing, and allergy flare-ups. These are just some of the symptoms that people in Bangkok and various areas are currently facing. Besides affecting the respiratory system, if food gets contaminated with dust, it can also lead to gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea.

Mr. Sanga Damapong, an advisor from the Department of Health and a nutrition expert from the Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), provided information stating that food contamination is not limited to this period and is not only due to PM 2.5. Ordinary dust can also settle on food, making it contaminated. He categorized food contamination into two types:

1. Contamination by pathogens can lead to gastrointestinal diseases. This is not just from dust; flies can also carry diseases. Examples include diarrhea, typhoid fever, and other illnesses caused by unprotected food.

2. Heavy metal contamination comes from vehicle exhaust smoke that accompanies dust, particularly cadmium and lead, which can lead to various dangerous health issues, affecting the liver, heart, blood vessels, reproductive health, chromosomes, and can even cause cancer and congenital disabilities.

During this crisis, how can we choose safe food? If you eat out, whether you take food home or dine in, it is considered eating out. Therefore, Mr. Sanga recommends tips for selecting safe food, as eating out poses risks if you do not follow these guidelines and pay attention to the following:

1. Check if the restaurant where you buy food has anything covered or if it is displayed on the sidewalk. If so, it is advisable to avoid it, as dangers can arise as mentioned earlier. Therefore, try to choose restaurants that have covered containers or are in cabinets.

2. Look for restaurants that have official certification signs, such as the clean food good taste sign from the Department of Health or certificates from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration or local organizations. A certified sign guarantees that food handlers, including cooks, servers, and restaurant owners, have received training, ensuring a certain level of food safety.

3. Observe the restaurant's condition. Just because it has a sign does not guarantee cleanliness. You should also consider the physical aspects: How are the tables and chairs? Are the cooks wearing hats? Do they have aprons? Are their nails clean? Are food handlers covering their mouths? Are they wearing masks? How clean is the dining area? Are there pets? Are the same people handling food and collecting money? For instance, in a chicken rice shop, if the person handling the chicken with bare hands is also collecting money, that restaurant is not trustworthy. These are physical indicators that you can initially assess yourself.

4. The restaurant has various menu options, and it is up to you to choose what to order. Is the food you order nutritionally balanced? To order nutritionally balanced food, choose dishes that include all five food groups, such as soups, salads, grilled, baked, steamed, or chili dips. If you order stir-fried dishes, specify that they should not be greasy. If you order only meat, you may end up with high protein and fat content. Therefore, it is best to stick to the principle of including all five food groups.

In addition to eating a balanced diet, exercise and mental health are also important aspects to maintain alongside your diet. Especially on days when dust levels are high, it is crucial to be more diligent about health care. The Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) encourages Thai people to maintain good physical, mental, intellectual, and social health, particularly regarding nutrition. Above all, it is essential to consume 400 grams of fruits and vegetables daily, as this will help strengthen the body and reduce the risk of chronic communicable diseases (NCDs).

Now that you know this, take care of your health on days with high dust levels!

Thank you for the information from www.thaihealth.or.th