The impact of heavy metals from toxic hotspots in Thailand on inhabitants and the environment
Authors: Vaclav Mach, Marek Sir, Akarapon Teebthaisong
Supporting data: Martin Bystriansky, Jindrich Petrlik, Autthaporn Ritthichat, Penchom Saetang, Jitka Strakova
By Arnika – Toxics and Waste Programme and Ecological Alert and Recovery - Thailand (EARTH) | 2017
This study is focused on the presentation and discussion of the data related to contamination of soils and sediments by heavy metals. Environmental samples were obtained during a sampling campaign conducted in Thailand in February 2016.
Sampling campaigns represent an important part of the project “Increasing Transparency in Industrial Pollution Management through Citizen Science”. This is a joint project of the Czech non-governmental organization Arnika Association and the Thai partner, Ecological Alert and Recovery – Thailand (EARTH). The main goals of the project are to increase the negotiating power of communities affected by industrial pollution in their demands for corporate and government accountability and to increase transparency in industrial pollution management policies and processes in Thailand. These goals comprise:
1) enabling communities affected by industrial pollution to generate scientific evidence,
2) broadening awareness about environmental and health damages from industrial pollution, and
3) promoting citizen right-to-know in Thailand and raise awareness on good practices of right-to-know legislation from the European Union, as a participatory mechanism for pollution reduction and prevention.
