Gravelrash Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 The Industry Ministry has come under fresh attack after removing highly-toxic chemicals and radioactive material from its list of hazardous substances. The ministry drew heavy flak last week when it was revealed it had listed 13 herbs on the hazardous substances list. Yesterday it was revealed it had not yet acted on the removal of the herbs from the list - but it had withdrawn 23 substances including natural gas, copper sulphate, sulphur and cobalt-60, a radioactive isotope. Penchom Tang, coordinator of the Campaign for Alternative Industry Network, demanded the hazardous substances committee explain the reason for the announcement. "Alteration of the hazardous substances list should be transparent and participated in by all stakeholders," Ms Penchom said. "The committee always works behind closed doors and that allows some interests group to influence its decision." The chemical in the spotlight is sulphur because its removal could favour some 10 giant sulphur importers which are facing criminal charges over illegal imports last year. A source at the Customs Department yesterday said the agency found the 10 companies imported sulphur without permission. If found guilty, the firms, including big tyre manufacturers, could be fined billions of baht. Sulphur, used in tyres and the auto parts industry, was formerly listed as a hazardous substance type 3 under the 1992 Hazardous Substance Act which requires importers, exporters and those handling it to seek permission from the Industrial Works Department (IWD). After the case was forwarded to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for investigation, the IWD was "lobbied" to withdraw sulphur from the control list, the source said. The hazardous substances committee, chaired by the permanent secretary for industry, complied with the IWDs proposal and it resolved on Dec 24 to remove sulphur from the substances control list. There were also attempts to secure the Council of States legal interpretation that the announcement was retroactive, which means past imports for industrial use could go ahead without the IWDs permission, the source said. Industry Minister Charnchai Chairungruang, who signed the announcement that took effect on Feb 3, denied any irregularity in the removal and said the issue was politicised. "There is no hidden agenda behind the announcement," he said....... Bangkok Post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetsetBkk Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 You couldn't make this stuff up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahtin Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 What are the herbs? Vitamin C next? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camelot Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 The plants and spices used as natural pesticides and listed as hazardous substances subject to strict controls are: Neem, turmeric, ginger, galangal, chilli, celery, lemongrass, American marigold, stemona, ringworm bush, bitter bush, tea seed cake and glory lily. Somehow, in the opinion of the Industry Ministry committee, chilli, ginger and lemongrass are hazardous but cobalt-60 and sulphur are not. That's mind-boggling. Source; Bangkok Post and other Thai media Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tywais Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 "There is no hidden agenda behind the announcement," he said....... Can you spell G R A F T ? Also, there are a few Thai families with deceased loved ones who would disagree about Cobalt-60 being non-hazardous and pretty much the rest of the civilized world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grantbkk Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 So cobalt-60, a radioactive isotope, is less dangerous than Thai cooking spices. I don’t want to be an alarmist however after have worked counter-terrorism for a while I find this latest move by the Interior Ministry both puzzling and dangerous. Cobalt-60 is the key ingredient in most theoretical discussions regarding the construction of a “dirty bomb”. The term dirty bomb is primarily used to refer to a radiological dispersal device (RDD), a speculative radiological weapon which combines radioactive material with conventional explosives. Though an RDD would be designed to disperse radioactive material over a large area, a bomb that uses conventional explosives would likely have more immediate lethal effect than the radioactive material. Because a terrorist dirty bomb is unlikely to cause many deaths, many do not consider this to be a weapon of mass destruction. Its purpose would presumably be to create psychological, not physical, harm through ignorance, mass panic, and terror. For this reason dirty bombs are sometimes called "weapons of mass disruption". Additionally, containment and decontamination of thousands of panic-stricken victims, as well as decontamination of the affected area might require considerable time and expense, rendering affected areas partly unusable and causing economic damage. No dirty bomb has ever been used, though unexploded devices have been found. Thailand is currently struggling to repair its reputation on the world stage. In these troubled times Thailand would not likely benefit from being known as the “hub” for dirty bomb material and should rethink the decision to lessen controls on cobalt-60. This is Thailand! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soutpeel Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Cobalt-60 is the key ingredient in most theoretical discussions regarding the construction of a "dirty bomb". The term dirty bomb is primarily used to refer to a radiological dispersal device (RDD), a speculative radiological weapon which combines radioactive material with conventional explosives. Cesium 137 would work better as its a sintered powder... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricardo Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Call me a cynic, but could this deliberate down-playing, of the potential hazards of radio-activity, be in-preparation for the launching of the new nuclear power-station project ? So as to allow the spent fuel-rods to be dumped cheaply, into the nearest land-fill or along the country's road-sides, as with other 'non-toxic' rubbish like batteries ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patklang Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 It sounds too horrible to be true. does anybody smell something fishy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tywais Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 So as to allow the spent fuel-rods to be dumped cheaply, into the nearest land-fill or along the country's road-sides, as with other 'non-toxic' rubbish like batteries Perhaps this solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetsetBkk Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 The plants and spices used as natural pesticides and listed as hazardous substances subject to strict controls are:Neem, turmeric, ginger, galangal, chilli, celery, lemongrass... Oh dear, I'd better get the shears out then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dee123 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 "lobbied" ??????????? What does that word mean????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dee123 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 "lobbied" ??????????? What does that word mean????? Does it mean that someone comes around your house for a cup of tea,then asks you to do them a favour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lickey Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Now this is just a thought, it seems to me that the Military/police want to rule Thailand, same as Burma, and they are getting handouts from chemical companies who have enjoyed 20 or so years of selling toxic cides, telling the population that natural organic control is no good, Use our stuff [to poison klongs,farmland,make fruit big and tatseless,and full of crap chemicals] it works quicker than natural mixes and is less work for the farmer!! So its ok to eat all these herbs,but not make a mix for insect repellant on fruit crops ect? Who comes first, the kingdoms people or chemical companies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandpops Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 What are the herbs? Vitamin C next? And how about those clouds of blinding, lung strangling toxic chilli gas that thai roadside restaurants let off from time to time. Usually when I am passing on me bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardog Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 The plants and spices used as natural pesticides and listed as hazardous substances subject to strict controls are:Neem, turmeric, ginger, galangal, chilli, celery, lemongrass... Oh dear, I'd better get the shears out then. Me to. We got 1/4 rai of lemon grass. not to mention a shitload of ginger celery neem & chilli. The ag. dept must sample the spices & if they don't care for it , it goes on the list. high tech testing!LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soutpeel Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Call me a cynic, but could this deliberate down-playing, of the potential hazards of radio-activity, be in-preparation for the launching of the new nuclear power-station project ? So as to allow the spent fuel-rods to be dumped cheaply, into the nearest land-fill or along the country's road-sides, as with other 'non-toxic' rubbish like batteries ? Nah....spent fuel are sent for reprocessing, they are not dumped....its the low level waste that has the possibilty of being dumped, not the fuel rods Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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