Toxic Disaster Zone Declared After Hydrogen Sulfide Found Dumped

[sriracha john]

Net closing in on person who dumped toxic waste

Ayutthaya provincial industry office has been tracking down an industry operator in neighbouring Saraburi province suspected of dumping highly toxic waste in Wang Noi district. Officials found the hazardous waste, packed in 15 200-litre containers, near Phahon Yothin road last Thursday and declared the one-kilometre radius area from the spot a toxic disaster zone to facilitate the clean-up operation. Officials also warned residents living near the site to avoid using water from natural sources as they might be contaminated with the toxic chemical leaked from the containers. Prawut Tangcharoonchai, chief of the provincial industry office, said an initial examination found the waste contains hydrogen sulfide, which is highly toxic and flammable.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/09Dec2007_news08.php

* misclicked mouse as thread title should read, "Toxic Disaster Zone Declared After Hydrogen Sulfide Found Dumped, One kilometer radius involved" *

Edited December 9, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Wiki information:

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a highly toxic and flammable gas. Being heavier than air, it tends to accumulate at the bottom of poorly ventilated spaces. Although very pungent at first, it quickly deadens the sense of smell, so potential victims may be unaware of its presence until it is too late.

Hydrogen sulfide is considered a broad-spectrum poison, meaning that it can poison several different systems in the body, although the nervous system is most affected. The toxicity of H2S is comparable with that of hydrogen cyanide.

0.0047 ppm is the recognition threshold, the concentration at which 50% of humans can detect the characteristic odor of hydrogen sulfide, normally described as resembling "a rotten egg"

10-20 ppm is the borderline concentration for eye irritation.

50-100 ppm leads to eye damage.

At 150-250 ppm the olfactory nerve is paralyzed after a few inhalations, and the sense of smell disappears, often together with awareness of danger,

320-530 ppm leads to pulmonary edema with the possibility of death.

530-1000 ppm causes strong stimulation of the central nervous system and rapid breathing, leading to loss of breathing;

800 ppm is the lethal concentration for 50% of humans for 5 minutes exposure.

Concentrations over 1000 ppm cause immediate collapse with loss of breathing, even after inhalation of a single breath.

[geriatrickid]

Odd that there isn't much of a response here. Someone dumps poison capable of sickening thousands, killing hundreds and depriving thousands more of a livelihood and, nothing. Now if I got into a fender bender with someone, the heavens would rain down upon me.

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

so what is the chance they will catch the mongrel who did the dumping?

[PhilHarries]

so what is the chance they will catch the mongrel who did the dumping?

In a developed country a fairly high level certainty, but in Thailand almost a hundred percent UNcertainty. It will depend on who is responsible, what his social standing is in the locality, what hi-so contacts he has and how much dosh he can come up with.

I would say the H2S is a by product of a chemical processing plant and as such will be tainted by residues of the product chemical plus the extraction agent (most likely one of the amines). Anyway there will be chemical "fingerprints" all through it and on the drums it is in. Fairly simple job to look through the chemical licenses and come up with a list of suspects.

I won't say it but we know where we are and what the outcome will be. It will just fade away just like all news articles the world over, just that in Thailand the fadeout is quicker.

Sad, so sad.

[TAWP]

Odd that there isn't much of a response here. Someone dumps poison capable of sickening thousands, killing hundreds and depriving thousands more of a livelihood and, nothing. Now if I got into a fender bender with someone, the heavens would rain down upon me.

Not much of ma response since due to past events it's not something new and the result is often the same. Or, should I say, the visible follow-up is often the same.

[Sunderland]

"There is more toxic waste in a typical Birmingham toilet."

Brummie Bill (2003)

[exexpat]

There are a few thoughts I have on this:

1. First of all, H2S is toxic, but it depends where, and how much. Some chemicals are actually beneficial at low levels and toxic at high levels. H2S is naturally produced by gut bacteria, as a byproduct of protein metabolism, comes out the anus, which is partly why farts stink.

2. First world countries are very good at punishing you or me, but when a major corporation with friends up high does it, then they are often no better than third world nations.

3. The main idea here is to dilute it before anyone is exposed to it in concentrations that are harmful. Of course, they may think they are doing a good job and aren't.

Edited December 11, 2007 by exexpat

[Scott]

Now folks, let's be positive--they will get the offending party. It was some truck driver who was paid 1,000 baht to put them there. Guilty. Jail. The end and it won't happen again!

Remember where we are.