Gas Leak In Map Ta Phut Power Plant Construction Zone

[webfact]

Gas leak in Map Ta Phut power plant construction zone.

Over 100 workers evacuated, four hospitalised

Source: MCOT 2009/12/12

// we will post updates as soon as possible

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[george]

Two workers inhale gas, hospitalised; Panel to submit environmental plan next week

BANGKOK: -- Two construction workers were sent to hospital for treatment early Saturday after accidentally inhaling gas leaking from a factory which was recently shut down in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in the eastern province of Rayong for not following environmental regulations, officials at the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand said.

The accident occurred at about 9.30am when construction workers reported the gas leak incident to the authorities. All the workers were later ordered to leave the area where the gas was leaked from the factory which was closed recently, they said.

Officials said two workers experienced chest pains and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Several chemical leak incidents have taken place in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in recent weeks, especially after the Administrative Court temporarily suspended 76 industrial projects in September.

So far only 11 of the total 76 projects were allowed to continue their operations while 65 remain closed until a full court hearing takes place and resolves the matter.

A four-party panel chaired by former prime minister Anand Panyarachun ppointed last month to resolve problems in the area is expected to advise the government late next week on how to assist the 65 suspended projects and speedily set up an independent body to further discuss differences.

Tasked with accelerating the government’s overall response and balanced assessment as an independent body under Article 67 of the Constitution, the committee will be established to ensure that each project conducts an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and a health impact assessment (HIA).

Mr Anand told journalists Friday night that the panel will submit a plan to the government next week.

He said the EIA could be made after a revision of Natural Resources and Environment Ministry regulations which may cover more than 19 industrial types as it is now.

A similar revision will be applied on the HIA, said Mr Anand.

Realising that issuing a new law could consume muchand may hamper new industrial investment projects, Mr Anand said his panel may consult with the Council of State on how to break the deadlock and whether interim regulations should be introduced during the absence of an independent body.

-- TNA 2009-12-12

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[Credo]

This place has sure been in the news a lot lately, and none of it seems to be good.

Speaking of accidents, have they decided where they are building the nuclear power plant?

[webfact]

Six workers hospitalised after latest Map Ta Phut gas leak

By The Nation on Sunday

Published on December 13, 2009

Six construction workers were hospitalised yesterday after a poisonous gas leaked out near a power plant at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong.

Reports by construction workers of a foul odour, sore throats and dizziness prompted the evacuation of about 200 workers from the Siam Steel Plate factory and other nearby sites at 8.30am.

Viraphong Chai-perm, deputy director of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, said the six workers were treated by doctors and sent home.

The IEAT immediately dispatched an inspection team to check the potential sources of the leak, including an idle fertiliser plant and the AR oil refinery, but found nothing unusual, he said.

Earlier this month, butene 1 - a flammable, colourless gas - escaped from a cargo vessel in the Map Tha Phut area, sending 63 people to hospital with dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

On December 2, the Supreme Administrative Court upheld the suspension of 65 industrial projects in the Map Ta Phut area pending compliance with Article 67 of the Constitution, which requires health-impact assessments.

-- The Nation 2009/12/13

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[brahmburgers]

Sorry to hear this. Chemical poisoning is awful. It doesn't appear to say what type of gas. I've been doing construction lately, and some of the chemicals are yuksville on the sinuses and are debilitating overall. The people who word at the factories which produce PVC cement/glue and Urathane and the other nasty concoctions get my sympathies. I'd sure like to switch to a lot less chemical use. One thing I do is use benign white glue for most plumbing (drainage) which is not under pressure. Also, rather than using oil based sealers on wood, I prefer to use cooking oil rubbed in to the wood.

This place has sure been in the news a lot lately, and none of it seems to be good.

Speaking of accidents, have they decided where they are building the nuclear power plant?

My thoughts too. Nuclear and Thailand are not a good match.

[animatic]

Regardless of the economic cost to deep pocket corporations,

the locals have valid and logical reasons for the suit on reconciling Map Ta Put's

factories and the in effect constitutional strictures on pollution, vs the earlier version.

The last week or so's news reports on Map Ta Put only put those concerns in stark relief

and a sense of reality, that anyone should understand.

Edited December 13, 2009 by animatic

[husskydog]

What is the name of the plant/company please..thanks