Public warned of air pollution caused by Rayong oil spill
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation



Toxic compounds can cause respiratory problems and even change DNA, expert says

BANGKOK: -- TOXIC COMPOUNDS from oil spills can affect humans through contaminated seafood and polluted air, the director of the International Anti-Ageing Centre warned.

Dr Krisada Siramput explained yesterday that there was a high possibility that marine animals in the affected seawaters would absorb toxic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

"These might accumulate in fish roe, shrimp and crabs," he said.

The Thailand Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences has assigned Krisada to educate the public about health threats from the oil spill, which hit the sea off Rayong on Saturday.

He explained that in reaction to the sunlight, compounds in the crude oil evaporated and spread pollutants that could threaten human health.

"They can affect the respiratory system and even the DNA," he said, adding that direct exposure to the pollutant could cause eye, throat and nasal irritation as well as nausea.

"Sometimes, it can even damage the nervous system," he warned.

Also, judging from the effect the oil spill has had on tourism and other industries, those affected could suffer from stress and depression. "We have to rehabilitate their emotional health," he said.

Krisada also urged relevant parties to rethink the use of micro-organisms in removing the oil spill, and was also concerned about the use of chemical dispersants.

Sorasak Saensombat, director-general of the Marine Department, said yesterday that he had ordered PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) to stop using chemicals since Monday.

However, PTTGC has insisted that the chemical it is using to disperse the oil spreading over the Gulf of Thailand is safe for the environment and complied with the Pollution Control Department regulations.

When asked to name the chemicals, PTTGC president Bowon Vongsinudom said he could not remember the exact name, adding that it was only being used in the deep-sea zone, not the shallow zone. According to him, the chemical split the crude oil into small fragments, which then sink a metre into the sea where they are naturally destroyed by micro-organisms.

"It has already been proved that this chemical is not dangerous for the environment. Don't worry," he said.

As per the information sheet distributed to the media by PTTGC at Ao Phrao beach yesterday, the chemical used as a dispersant was identified as "Slickgone NS" - an internationally approved dispersant produced by UK-based firm Dasic International. The product is classified as non-hazardous, though it might make the skin greasy as well as irritate the eyes.

Bowon said his firm had to reserve several thousand tonnes of this substance in case it is not enough for the elimination process.


-- The Nation 2013-08-01

50 or 70 metric tons of oil spill require several thousand tons of dispersant.!!!!

When asked to name the chemicals, PTTGC president Bowon Vongsinudom said he could not remember the exact name, adding that it was only being used in the deep-sea zone, not the shallow zone.

So the boat in the picture at the top of the article is spraying what ?

at least one speaks out and comes forward with the truth. Looks like there's still a leak.

My advice is to team up with this department for mutual protection.

well the ecology never really been a Thai concern , specially about the sea . If even the president of PTT doesnt remember the name of the chemical they use who would ? another example of incompetence .

Sorasak Saensombat, director-general of the Marine Department, said yesterday that he had ordered PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) to stop using chemicals since Monday.

However, PTTGC has insisted that the chemical it is using to disperse the oil spreading over the Gulf of Thailand is safe for the environment and complied with the Pollution Control Department regulations.

When asked to name the chemicals, PTTGC president Bowon Vongsinudom said he could not remember the exact name, adding that it was only being used in the deep-sea zone, not the shallow zone. According to him, the chemical split the crude oil into small fragments, which then sink a metre into the sea where they are naturally destroyed by micro-organisms.

the man is an utter cock

at least one speaks out and comes forward with the truth. Looks like there's still a leak.

My advice is to team up with this department for mutual protection.

from the pic it would seem it is spraying itself

the article reads to me like a minor politician from an obscure department trying to grab some headline lime by saying absolutely nothing

After watching the government and private sector appointment of individuals positions for a few years, I would venture to say that neither of the people quoted have any experience, or real knowledge on the subjects they are addressing. But who knows each of them may have a third cousin once removed who works on a converted shrimp boat that work on day contract for PPT now.

"Don't worry, he said".

Up there with "Read my lips... No new taxes!", "There are weapons of mass destruction", We don't collect personal information. etc. etc. etc.

When asked to name the chemicals, PTTGC president Bowon Vongsinudom said he could not remember the exact name, adding that it was only being used in the deep-sea zone, not the shallow zone. According to him, the chemical split the crude oil into small fragments, which then sink a metre into the sea where they are naturally destroyed by micro-organisms.

the man is an utter cock

There is no "deep-sea zone" there. The water depth at the leak was only 25m. The depth between the leak and koh Samet is less than 20m. The depth around koh Samet and between koh Samet and Ban Phe is generally around 5m, not greater than 10m.

wow, it can change DNA

there is finally hope for the thai people, to evolve

"As per the information sheet distributed to the media by PTTGC at Ao Phrao beach yesterday, the chemical used as a dispersant was identified as "Slickgone NS" - an internationally approved dispersant produced by UK-based firm Dasic International. The product is classified as non-hazardous, though it might make the skin greasy as well as irritate the eyes"

Hmm...is that similar to COREXIT? www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749112004344

► We determined LC50's of Corexit 9500A^®, propylene glycol, and oil to B. plicatilis. ► Corexit 9500A^® and oil are equivalent in toxicity. ► When Corexit 9500A^® and oil are mixed, toxicity increases 52-fold to B. plicatilis. ► Results suggest underestimation of increased toxicity due to Corexit application. ► Sensitivity differences are small among species of the B. plicatilis species complex.

That didn't work out too well, did it?

OK, back to the beauty salons/barber shops to collect as much hair as possible...

Edited August 1, 201312 yr by cloghead

" The Thailand Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences " ? .......... Wow

"However, PTTGC has insisted that the chemical it is using to disperse the oil spreading over the Gulf of Thailand is safe for the environment and complied with the Pollution Control Department regulations.

When asked to name the chemicals, PTTGC president Bowon Vongsinudom said he could not remember the exact name, adding that it was only being used in the deep-sea zone, not the shallow zone. According to him, the chemical split the crude oil into small fragments, which then sink a metre into the sea where they are naturally destroyed by micro-organisms."

These PTT executives are utterly clueless. Not knowing the name of the chemical you are using is moronic and which micro organisms destroy the oil? I know there are some that can "eat", for want of a better word, the crude oil but how long does it take? Are they naturally occurring? What happens to marine life affected by these "fragments" falling on them while this process takes place?

Edited August 1, 201312 yr by Bluespunk

Dr Krisada Siramput of the International Anti-Ageing Centre ... said "rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb, somtam, farrrtt, - na na na da da da der"

Edited August 1, 201312 yr by newermonkey

wow, it can change DNA

there is finally hope for the thai people, to evolve

50 or 70 metric tons of oil spill require several thousand tons of dispersant.!!!!

1:10 or more is normal

When asked to name the chemicals, PTTGC president Bowon Vongsinudom said he could not remember the exact name, adding that it was only being used in the deep-sea zone, not the shallow zone.

So the boat in the picture at the top of the article is spraying what ?

That's a Fire boat on standby and testing the water pumps

Edited August 1, 201312 yr by sjjmmi

I understand this company is nationalised hence owned by the government, why on earth do you people expect head honchos to be competent, meritocracy is a word that does not translate into Thai.

50 or 70 metric tons of oil spill require several thousand tons of dispersant.!!!!

1:10 or more is normal

Thai at Heart, since you have sold it, could we know the substance? Is it a coagulant, dispersant, surfactant? Name? Chemical formula?

And this 1:10 ratio is what? 1 oil to 10 of chemical? Or is this info a matter of National Security? Please share, thankyou.

50 or 70 metric tons of oil spill require several thousand tons of dispersant.!!!!

1:10 or more is normal

Thai at Heart, since you have sold it, could we know the substance? Is it a coagulant, dispersant, surfactant? Name? Chemical formula?

And this 1:10 ratio is what? 1 oil to 10 of chemical? Or is this info a matter of National Security? Please share, thankyou.

I used to sell a bacterial remediation agent, not a dispersant. It's a matter of privacy. There aren't too many people selling that stuff in Thailand.

Pm me, I can give you the brand. 1 product to 10 oil. Some stronger 1 to 30. Depends on oil type.

Edited August 2, 201312 yr by Thai at Heart

Plenty of information out there on dispersants just try oil spill dispersants and you will get many sites.

Some pretty horrendous like 2 that claim the use of dispersants make the oil mixture 52 times more toxic than the oil.

Plenty of information out there on dispersants just try oil spill dispersants and you will get many sites.

Some pretty horrendous like 2 that claim the use of dispersants make the oil mixture 52 times more toxic than the oil.

To plankton in the food chain it states, by making the oil more available to other organisms, which it also states can recover quickly, but will have an effect on the food chain.

And leaving it on the surface has no effect on the food chain and the ecology?

If they hadn't sprayed it, the mainland beaches would now probably be covered for miles in black sludge. Either way, don't eat the seafood.

Edited August 2, 201312 yr by Thai at Heart