PCD to declare tambon in Kalasin's Khongchai district a pollution-control zone
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Pollution Control Department (PCD) plans to declare tambon Khok Sa-ard in Kalasin's Khongchai district a pollution-control zone and implement metal-poisoning mitigation measures, after its findings that lead contamination in the soil was three times and arsenic level two times the safety level.

Most residents in tambon Khok Sa-ard's 12 villages separated waste for a living as the area has a landfill that is reportedly loaded with more than 2,000 tonnes of electronic waste every month. A previous random test on the locals showed that three of 89 adults and 21 of 129 small children had lead in their bloodstream.

PCD chief Wichien Jungrungruang yesterday said a pollution test conducted on May 20 showed that soil in the landfill had 2,636 milligrams per kilogram of lead, which is nearly seven times the safety level of 400mg/kg. They also found 9.6mg/kg of arsenic, compared with the standard 3.9mg/kg.

In tests at the homes of those who separate waste, lead contamination was 1,388mg/kg, three times the standard, and arsenic was 6mg/kg, double the standard. A water sample from Ban Sa-ard Moo 2 irrigation canal showed 93mg/kg of lead compared with the safety standard of 50mg/kg. It is suspected the contamination resulted from the villagers' work of stripping copper and metal.


-- The Nation 2014-06-12

Whoa. coveralls, respirators. eyewear, air extractors, water catchment treatment and run off prevention... cannot see even the simple mitigations being provided or put in place to put a halt to poisoning of the people and the environment.

Rain water will be the blame for the environmental impact for the most part, lack of effective masks for the human damage.

Once again, how come a military administration is required in order to deal with such issues, issues which should be a priority for any party in power...?! Further evidence of the self-serving nature of the previous administration...!!