Department of Health warns Ratchaburi factory fire cause toxic chemical vapors

Pollution-Free EARTH 18 June 2022

An initial report by Department of Health on June 16th, 2022, warns that due to severe fire at Wax Garbage Recycling Factory in Ratchaburi province, local citizens may face severe air pollution from burning of chemicals, waste oil, and paint waste. These substances often include Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene, which if burned emit toxic gases such Sulfur Dioxide.

Smoke from burning of Benzene, Toluene, Xylene can have direct and acute impact on human health. Contact with the eyes can lead to irritation and visual impairment. Breathing in said smoke may impact respiratory system, cause chest pain, nausea, vomiting, troubled breathing. Contact with skins can lead to irritation, pain, burning sensations, inflammations. 

Sulfur Dioxide, a result of burning oil, can risk damage the respiratory system, having special impacts on children, elderlies and pregnant women, as well as those with certain illnesses such as Asthmas, high blood pressure, heart diseases. All of these illnesses can be worsened by such air pollutants. Small dusts caused from burning can lead to similar concerns.

Ecological Alert and Recovery - Thailand (EARTH) has raised concerns about the long term health impacts, especially those related to chemicals such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), PCC, and Dioxins. Hence, local's health should be monitored for at least 3 years. Since much of these pollutants are carcinogenic, health ministry should take charge and monitor possible developments of cancer.

"This is environmental crime," says Penchom Saetang, Director of Ecological Alert and Recovery - Thailand (EARTH). "Responsible parties must be brought to justice. Locals and others bearing the burdens of impact must receive compensation and proper care."

 

Photos and originating hashtags by Locals of Nampu Subdistirct

#SAVEประชาชนและสิ่งแวดล้อมตำบลน้ำพุราชบุรี #SaveNampu

#หยุดภัยมลพิษ #PollutionFreeEARTH

SOURCE: หยุดภัยมลพิษ Pollution-Free EARTH

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