Thailand’s health authority is cautioning the public about the hazards of toxic fumes after chemical fires in Rayong and Ayutthaya in recent weeks.
Dr Attapon Kaewsamrit, deputy director-general of the Public Health Ministry’s Department of Health, recommended that people should position themselves in a well-ventilated area at least 300 meters away from the source and upwind in the event of a chemical fire near their community.
“You should use a protective mask against toxic fumes,” the doctor said, announcing an investigation after an inspection by the Department of Health’s SEhRT team from Saraburi Public Health Center and a health team from Ayutthaya.
This advice was given following a fire at a chemical warehouse on May 1 in Ayutthaya’s Phachi District, which affected residents of several communities in the district, neighboring districts, and patients at a nearby hospital.
Dr. Attapon explained that the fire may produce irritating toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness and asphyxiation. Inhaling or coming into contact with the material may irritate or burn the skin and eyes. Importantly, runoff from fire control can lead to environmental pollution by contaminating the soil, nearby surface waters, and groundwater, which can then pollute local drinking water sources.
“If you are instructed to evacuate by authorities, immediately follow the advice for your safety. For a small fire, you may stay indoors with your doors and windows closed to protect yourselves from dangerous fumes,” the doctor said.
On May 2, the SEhRT team from Saraburi Public Health Center was dispatched to Ayutthaya’s Phachi district to assess the health risks to nearby residents, local sanitation, public hygiene, and environmental health after the fire was brought under control.
An emergency evacuation center at Wat Khok Muang and a field hospital were established to assist the affected residents and patients.
The findings indicate that fire crews on duty and residents of Phachi, Kok Muang, and Nong Nam Sai districts were impacted by chemical fumes and foul odor. They experienced eye irritation, difficulty breathing, and dizziness.
Dr. Attapon stated that 28 residents who were exposed to the toxic fumes received medical services from public health personnel stationed at the field hospital, with 26 of them staying at the evacuation unit for observation and the remainder returning home once declared safe.
The doctor instructed the local health team to monitor the health risks to residents living one kilometer away from the fire source for any potential delayed effects.
An air quality examination by the Pollution Control Department revealed the presence of acrylonitrile, phosphine, phosgene, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide at slightly elevated levels in the air within a 2.3 to 9.5-kilometer radius of the affected communities, according to the report.
The chemicals found in the plumes of smoke are hazardous and can impact people’s health, the doctor noted.
“The health personnel team also educated residents about potential hazards and how to protect themselves from chemical fumes released from a fire,” he said.
The report also said that the drinking and consumption water in the affected villages and the evacuation unit was within safety norms.
Dr. Attapon has urged local state agencies and relevant units responsible for granting a permit for operations of chemical warehouses to intensify their efforts to ensure that operators and owners of warehouses, buildings, and facilities regularly inspect and maintain all of their operations systems, power systems, equipment, and gas pipelines to prevent accidents and leaks.
“It’s important that warehouses and facilities are regularly inspected so that the problems can be identified before they blow up and cause damage. And any leaks, cracks, and breaks should be immediately handled,” Dr. Attorn said.
The doctor also urged local authorities to closely govern, control, and follow up operations of chemical operators and ensure that residents are well informed as quickly as possible when there is a fire, a leak, or an explosion to help reduce public health risks.
Concerns arise over chemical blazes and transportation
Toxic fumes released from chemical and industrial waste blazes have raised public health and safety concerns as Thailand has faced a series of hazardous chemical incidents that have exposed people to dangerous toxins through fires, explosions, and transportation in April and May.
The most recent incident occurred on Thursday (May 9) when a massive explosion at the pyrolysis gasoline tank of Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal Co., Ltd (MTT) in Rayong caused a devastating fire that left one dead and four others injured.
The explosion and the black smoke billowing over the storage tank prompted authorities to evacuate workers of nearby factories and residents of nearby communities from the vicinity of the fire to ensure their safety. A team of firefighters was deployed to respond to the emergency. It took around nine hours for the blaze to be brought under control.
In response to the incident, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand has ordered the temporary suspension of operations at the MTT, pending further investigation and damage evaluation, according to news report.
As stated earlier, the Phachi district fire occurred on May Day, when an illegal chemical warehouse storing more than 4,000 tons of toxic chemical and industrial waste caught fire.
On April 30, meanwhile, the authorities ordered an immediate suspension of all cadmium waste shipments after a safety breach during the unloading of a truck at a depot in Tak to ensure safety for workers and nearby residents.
A tractor crane’s chain apparently broke while it was moving a huge bag of cadmium tailings from a big truck to a smaller vehicle at the warehouse of Bound & Beyond in Tak’s Muang District.
The plan was for the toxic waste to be buried at a permanent dump site owned by the company in the province, after it was brought up to standard.
The huge bag containing cadmium tailings was part of about 13,000 tons of toxic waste discovered by authorities at several factories in Bangkok, Chon Buri, and Samut Sakhon. The waste had been illegally moved from a landfill in Tak.
Cadmium is a dense metal used in making batteries, paints, and plastics, among other things. Experts say that being exposed to the substance in certain amounts over time can harm the kidneys, lungs, and bones.
On April 22, a chemical warehouse owned by Win Process Co in the Bang But area of Rayong’s Bang Khai District caught fire. The fire caused a series of explosions that led to the evacuation of nearby residents.
After a second fire broke out on April 24, authorities conducted an air quality check and found high levels of dangerous chemicals in the air over the surrounding area, according to news reports.
By Thai PBS World Feature Desk
