STATE OF HARZARDOUS CHEMICALS

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THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2004 63 Hazardous Chemicals

The statistic data (recorded by the Customs Department regarding the import of organic and inorganic hazardous chemicals in 2004) and the total production amount (registered with the Department of Industrial Works and the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand in Number 42 (1) (2) categorized by industries operating chemical products, chemical substances, or hazardous materials) revealed that about 4.81 million tons of hazardous chemicals have been imported while 24.68 million tons have been produced locally. The total amount of imported and locally produced hazardous chemicals was 29.49 million tons, increase of 9.63% if compared to the year 2003 (Table 1 and Figure 1).

Table 1 : The Amount of Imported and Produced Hazardous Chemicals in Thailand from 1995 to 2004 Unit : million tons Year 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Import amount* 3.23 3.40 3.22 3.11 3.37 3.54 4.59 5.38 4.60 4.81 Production amount** 6.61 8.89 9.70 9.80 9.87 14.23 24.74 28.00 22.30 24.68 Total 9.84 12.29 12.92 12.91 13.24 17.77 29.33 33.38 26.90 29.49

Remark : * Import data from The Customs Department ** Production amount refers to the highest production capacity registered with the Department of Industrial Works and the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand

Amount (million tons) 30 25 20 Production Amount 15 Import Amount 10 5 0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Year Figure 1 : The Trends of Imported and Produced Hazardous Chemicals in Thailand from 1995 to 2004

THAILAND STATE OF 64 POLLUTION REPORT 2004 Health Impacts from Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Hazardous chemicals utilized in various activities evidently gave the impact to the public health, workers in factories, as well as farmers. The report prepared by the Department of Disease Control, the Ministry of Public Health Affairs indicated that, in 2004, there were totally 2,717 patients due to hazardous chemical exposure, which were categorized into 853 patients due to industrial hazardous chemicals, and the other 1,864 patients due to herbicides and pesticides. In addition, there were 10 dead persons : 1 due to toxicity of industrial hazardous chemicals and the other 9 due to toxicity of herbicides and pesticides. Toxicity from Industrial Hazardous Chemicals The statistic data of the number of illness and death cases, collected by the Department of Disease Control, the Ministry of Public Health Affairs revealed that, in 2004, there were 854 patients and deal persons due to industrial hazardous chemicals: 853 patients and 1 dead person (Table 2 and Figure 2), which was 5 times higher than the total number recorded in 2003. The reasons might be because of the contamination of cadmium in the environment and agricultural crops, especially at Huay Mae Tao wastershed, Mae Sod District, Tak Province, and the continual expansion of industry sector.

Table 2 : A Number of Patients and Death due to Hazardous Chemical Exposure between 1995 - 2004 Unit : person Hazardous Chemicals Year 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Agricultural Hazardous Illness 3,398 3,175 2,844 4,305 4,171 3,109 2,653 2,571 2,342 1,864 Chemicals Death 21 32 29 18 33 21 15 11 9 9 Industrial Hazardous Illness 162 201 211 287 365 1,177 280 180 157 853 Chemicals Death 2 - 1114- --1 Total Illness 3,560 3,376 3,055 4,592 4,536 4,286 2,933 2,751 2,499 2,717 Death 23 32 30 19 34 25 15 11 9 10

Source : The Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health Affairs

Number (person) 5,000

4,000 Toxicity by agricultural 3,000 hazardous chemicals 2,000 Toxicity by industrial 1,000 hazardous chemicals 0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Year Figure 2 : The Number of Patients and Death due to Hazardous Chemical Exposure between 1995 - 2004

THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2004 65 Hazardous chemicals affected to humanûs health proportionally, 131 patients from petro substances 118 patients from toxic gases and vapors, 556 patients from heavy metals (in groups of manganese, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium), and 48 patients from lead. One dead person was caused by the toxicity of petro substances. The North region had the highest number of patients; the second highest number of patients were Northeastern, Southern, Eastern, and Central regions respectively. (Figure 3)

South : 85 persons (10%) Northeast : 118 persons (14%)

Central : 43 persons (5%) East : 47 persons (6%)

North : 560 persons (65%)

Figure 3 : Statistic Data of Patients Exposed to Industrial Hazardous Chemicals in 2004

Source : The Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health Affairs

THAILAND STATE OF 66 POLLUTION REPORT 2004 Toxicity from Agricultural Hazardous Chemicals The statistic data of the number of illness and death cases due to the toxicity of agricultural hazardous chemicals, collected by the Department of Disease Control, the Ministry of Public Health Affairs, revealed that, in 2004, there were 1,873 patients and deal persons : 1,864 patients and 9 dead persons, 20% lower than the rate in 2003. Most patients were found in the Northern region, and the second rank were found in the Northeastern, Central, Eastern, and Southern regions respectively (Figure 4). Top ten provinces with the highest number of patients were Nakhon Ratchasima (159 cases), Nakhon Sawan (146 cases), Kamphaeng Phet (110 cases), Phetchabun (108 cases), Phichit (104 cases), Si Sa Ket (94 cases), Phitsanulok (90 cases), Udon Thani (90 cases), Sukhothai (76 cases), and Uthai Thani (73 cases) proportionally (Table 2).

East : 88 persons (5%) Central : 195 persons (10%) South : 47 persons (3%)

Northeast : 642 persons (34%)

North : 892 persons (48%)

Figure 4 : Statistic Data of Patients Exposed to Agricultural Hazardous Chemicals in 2004

Source : Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health

Throughout the year 2004, relevant agencies have taken actions to reduce the impact of agricultural hazardous chemicals. For example, the Department of Agricultural Extension has promoted and developed organic agricultural and non-toxic products, the management of quality and standard of agricultural products, pest bio-control, and integrated pest management (IPM) under the process of farmersû school.

THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2004 67 Hazardous Chemical Accidents

Hazardous chemical accidents are severe and have the huge impact to peopleûs lives and properties, including the environment. Although both government and private sectors have issued preventive measures and the preparation to tackle accidents, caused by hazardous chemicals. The statistic data, collected by the Pollution Control Department pursuant to the general peopleûs complaints to the Department and other governmental agencies, revealed that, in 2004, 24 hazardous chemical accidents occurred (excluding 4 cases of illegal waste or hazardous chemical dumping and 1 case of naturally rising gas), which could be categorized as 5 accidents from the transportation of hazardous chemicals, 13 accidents from industrial factories, and 6 accidents from hazardous chemical storage (Figure 1). Those accidents resulted to 140 injured persons and 27 dead persons with the damage costs at 200 million Baht (the overall amount, in some cases, the damage costs were not assessed). Hazardous Chemical Hazardous Chemical Storage 25% Transportation 21%

Industrial Factories 54%

Figure 1 : Hazardous Chemical Accidents of Various Locations in 2004

Source : The Pollution Control Department, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Most accidents came from unawareness of facts, carelessness and negligence and unawareness of toxicity caused by hazardous chemicals. However, handling accidents occurred last year proved that solutions by local rescue crews were done rapidly with efficiency coordination and incidents were halted correctly pursuant to academic principles. In part of the Pollution Control Department, it has continuously taken actions to strengthen the potential of local agencies starting from preparing the chemical emergency action plan for the provincial level, and encouraging the establishment of provincial accident facing units to rescue and weaken the pollution due to hazardous chemicals by providing proper devices and equipment for related operations by agencies under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The organization had arrarged training courses to offer related personnel knowledge and skill for correctly and safely handling emergency accidents due to hazardous chemicals, so that these agencies became the network enabling to support local units to handle hazardous chemical accidents.

THAILAND STATE OF 68 POLLUTION REPORT 2004 A truck loading nitric acid was capsized on Bang Na - Trad Street, Km. 1, inward bound, Khwaeng/ Khet Bang Na, Bangkok on 24 February 2004. This made nitric acid in the tank flowing to the road, generated toxic smoke spread out, which resulted to the irritation of the respiratory system. The cause of this accident was the truck driver changed the driving lane suddenly, so the truck lost its balance and overturned. The Pollution Control Department in cooperation with the Police Fire Station, Bang Na Unit, and other related agencies salvaged that chemical leak from the street by scattering sand and lime to cover the road face to restrain the acid vapor and to stabilize the chemical to the neutral condition before spurting some water to cleanse that area. A fire broke out on a huge pile of electronic circuit boards, kept in an industrial waste treatment facility, Asoke Chemical Co., Ltd., Khlang Dong, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province on 21 July 2004. The fire formed the black smoke and toxic vapor while 1 person was injured from breathing poisonous smoke in. To halt the accident and solve this problem, related agencies (such as the Regional Environment Office 11, Nakhon Ratchasima in cooperation with the Office of Natural Ressources and Environment, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, the Office of Industry, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, the Provincial Police station of Tambon Pak Chong) rushed to pull down the fire and investigated the incident. The Office of Industry, Nakhon Ratchasima Province gave an instruction to the Company to cease its business operation for 90 days (upon 21 July 2004) and to remedy the area used to keep those electronic circuit boards to prevent another fire. However, on 13 August 2004, there was an explosion and a fire on a big fuel oil tank (20 meters in diameter and 15 meters high) placed in this factory. This event caused the death of 3 persons and serious injury of 1 person with the damage cost at 10 million Baht.

THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2004 69 Solutions of Chemical Uses In Orange Farms at Chaiprakarn District, , Mae Ai District,

The Cabinet passed its resolution in the Cabinetûs meeting held on 9 September 2003 assigning the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and the Ministry of Public Health Affairs to have a joint solution for chemical uses in orange farms at Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai Province. In addition, on 23 September 2003, the Cabinet had another resolution notifying orange farms located in 3 districts : Chaiprakarn, Fang, and Mae Ai in Chiang Mai Province became environmental protection areas in accordance with the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act, B.E. 2535 because those districts are located in the headwater areas and most of them are located in the conservation areas where their ecological systems are so delicate; consequently, it seems appropriate to control the chemical uses in orange farms located there.

The Chiang Mai Province appointed a committee to solve problems in relation to operating orange farms in Chaiprakarn District, Fang District, and Mae Ai District to remedy the trouble of people living in those 3 districts. The Province also appointed 6 working teams to find out solutions resulted from the operation of orange farms in various aspects : 1) a working team for the examination of health and environmental impact from the operation of orange farms to further announce that the operation of orange farms can harm the public health; 2) a working team for the announcement of environmental protection areas; 3) a working team to accelerate the verification of rights in land and to take legal actions against persons breaking laws; 4) a working team for regulating uses of land in high-level areas or conservative areas; 5) a working team for solutions of alien labors; and 6) a working team for the examination of economic, social, cultural, and ways of life impact.

THAILAND STATE OF 70 POLLUTION REPORT 2004 A working team for the announcement of environmental protection areas in Fang watershed (comprising of representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment such as the Regional Environment Office 1, Chiang Mai Province, the Pollution Control Department, the Office of Policy and Planning for Natural Resources and Environment, other related agencies including orange farm entrepreneurs and the general people affected by this business) had monitored the residue of herbicides and pesticides in the environment. By the way, it was found that no herbicide and pesticide residue exceeded the standard limits. In addition, the working team has prepared a plan for the management of environmental quality in Fang watershed set as the framework for the period of 2005 - 2009. This plan consisted of 4 main strategies : management strategy, strategy for the observation and protection of environmental quality in Fang watershed, research strategy, and strategy for the prevention and reduction of impact caused by agricultural activities. A meeting for the public hearing from related agencies and general public was held on 27 September 2004 at Fang District, Chiang Mai Province. Moreover, the working team has prepared the draft of environmental protection measures for areas in Chaiprakarn District, Fang District, and Mae Ai District. The Office of Policy and Planning for Natural Resources and Environment, as the secretariat of the Sub-Committee for the Environmental Management in Environmental Protection Areas under the National Environment Board, took the environmental protection measures prepared by the working team to be further improved for the draft notification of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2004 71 Cadmium Contamination in the Watershed of Mae Tao, Mae Sod District, Tak Province

The report of cadmium contamination to soil and agricultural crops at Huay Mae Tao, Mae Sod District, Tak Province, examined by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Department of Agriculture (DOA) under IWMI-DOA Collaborative Project 1998 - 2003, advised that cadmium contamination in the sample environment was in the high level. This report was submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to find out solutions.

General Area Condition General Area Condition

The Ministry of Natural Resources and areas utilizing some water from Huay Mae Tao for Environment, hence, had an order for the planting, cadmium contamination was over the appointment of a specific working team to standard limits; the distribution of cadmium in these investigate and enhance solutions of cadmium agricultural areas were strong at the point close contamination at Mae Sod District, Tak Province on 6 to the water receiving body from the local water January 2004 for which the Permanent Secretary to transmitting ditch (Lam Muang), and the distribution the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment became weaker by the distance. According to the took the chairman while other related agencies were primary expectation, the scope of contamination and members in the working team to examine and find control of planting in Huay Mae Tao and Huay Mae out solutions for cadmium contamination at Tambon Ku covered 8,000 rai. Besides, for rice in planting Phra That Pha Daeng, where was expected to areas (products in 2003), there was some rice receive some effects. The investigation disclosed containing so little cadmium that this substance that the quality of groundwater, surface water, and could not be found in some rice with 5 milligrams of aquatic animals remained safe for consumption. cadmium per 1 kilo of rice. Anyway, the consumption However, silt along Huay Mae Tao had the cadmium standard criteria of Codex Committee on Food contamination higher than standard limits (except at Addictives and Contaminants determines that the the waterhead); its highest value exceeded the amount of cadmium must not be higher than 0.2 standard of Canada for 100 times. For agricultural milligram per 1 kilo of rice.

THAILAND STATE OF 72 POLLUTION REPORT 2004 Also, there was an investigation of cadmium for 9,000 people living in Tambon Phra That Pha Daeng, Mae Tao, and Mae Ku located at Huay Mae Tao and Huay Mae Ku watersheds. The health check-up disclosed that 11.2% of people, who were examined and advised the analysis results, had quite high level of cadmium with the potentially chronic toxic conditions in their kidneys while 2.7% of them had a high level of cadmium with the greatest potentially chronic toxic conditions in their kidneys.

Areas Showing Primary Contamination

The problem investigation, as described above, manufacturing factory located at Saraburi Province revealed that the general people have been by March 2005. The Tak Province also destroyed new confronting risks of health and quality of life. Therefore, growing rice stalks expected to give cadmium- Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Jaturon Chaisaeng) had a contaminated rice, and farmers got the compensation meeting and discussion with relevant entities for the for their destroyed products. Additionally, the Tak preparation of impact solutions, resulted by the Province has promoted the feeding of free-cadmium cadmium contamination at Mae Tao watershed. The animals, tested the impact of cadmium absorbing short-term solutions consisted of 5 main activities : plan to rice, provided assistance to the general people of handling contaminated rice, plan of examining and whose mind and health have been affected, and handling newly produced rice, plan of notifying informed the general people of its performance. In the planting control areas and career development, plan meantime, the Department of Land Development of observing the general publicûs health, and conducted a study regarding the reduction of public relation plan. These five activities needed Baht cadmium contamination to rice seeds, and developed 92,135,600, which was approved by the Cabinet on a mathematic model that would be utilized to find out Tuesday, 5 October 2004, and Tak Province was the scope and extent of cadmium contamination appointed as the core unit to perform these actions. spreading to farmersû agricultural areas. This research The Tak Province purchased from rice farmers in would be broadened to be directions or measures of Tambon Mae Tao and Tambon Phra That Pha Daeng cadmium elimination/recovery in soil until it was safe the paddy contaminated by cadmium, in the enough for planting rice or other economic crops. This production season for the year 2003/2004, which was study was expected to be complete by the planting further stored before being wiped out at a cement season in 2005.

THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2004 73