Thai Authorities Check Environmental Impacts around Burned-out Chemical Factory

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By Subhabhong Rarueysong

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Department of Pollution Control is checking the air quality, as well as drains and sewers, in a five-kilometre radius of the burned-out Ming Dih Chemical factory in Samut Prakan’s Bang Phli district.

 

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varavuth Silpa-archa said the department needs to ensure the air quality is safe, before residents of the area can be allowed to return, as it might still be polluted by fumes from the chemical fire and the drains and sewers may be contaminated by run-off water and flame retardants used to douse the flames.

 

Provincial governor Wanchai Kongkasem said on Tuesday that the damage from the fire spanned a vast radius around the burned-out factory, causing damage to private property and affecting 80,916 people across four sub-districts of Bang Phli.

 

Meanwhile, vice minister attached to the PM’s Office Seksakol Atthawong said the Prime Minister is concerned about the fire, as one volunteer firefighter had died fighting the blaze and many were injured. Gen Prayut has instructed the ministries of Interior, Labor, Industry and Social Development and Human Security to look after the people affected by the fire and to provide them with temporary shelter, food and appropriate compensation.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-07-07

 

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