Situation back to normal at deep-sea port

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Situation back to normal at deep-sea port

5 toxic leak victims remain in hospital

Published: 28/11/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

The situation at Laem Chabang has returned to normal after the toxic leak at the deep-sea port, says Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti.

Pollution Control Department officials sent to the port in Si Racha district, Chon Buri, found that the hazardous chemical leak had stopped, Mr Suwit said yesterday on the sidelines of the meeting of Southeast Asian environment ministers in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Sumetha Wichienpet, chief of the hazardous response and remedial action unit under the department, said there were no reports of foul smells from the toxic chemical within two kilometres of the area.

A toxin detection machine also showed negative results, he said.

More than nine tonnes of sodium persulphate went up in flames on Wednesday, leaving a terrible smell and causing more than 200 families living near the port to suffer from eye irritation and vomiting.

They were later evacuated until the port staff brought the situation under control.

Five people, one of them reported to be in serious condition, were still in hospital.

The chemical leaked from a 22-tonne container of Yamahatsu (Thailand), according to a statement released by the port authorities.

The chemical was shipped into Thailand by the Siam Bridge ship and moved to B3 port on Wednesday. The port did not say where the ship came from.

Marut Jirasretsiri, chief of the provincial public health office in Chon Buri, said four people were expected to leave Chon Buri General Hospital today. The fifth casualty was still in hospital as he also suffered from thalassaemia.

"We had 25 of 79 admitted at the hospital. Twenty of them have already been discharged. They have minor illnesses such as eye irritation and vomiting," Dr Marut said.

On the case of the woman who died, he explained that a preliminary autopsy at Police General Hospital in Bangkok found she had symptoms of heart disease. But it would require 45 days to confirm whether she died as a result of exposure to the toxic chemical.

The Anti-Global Warming Association led by lawyer Srisuwan Janya said it would investigate all plants in the eastern province and sue them if they were found to have violated environmental impact assessment regulations.

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Writer: Apinya Wipatayotin and Chaiwat Satyaem

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wantmymoney

Discussion 6 : 29/11/2009 at 12:01 AM6
Why did thai port authority allowed dangerous chemical to be unloaded at the same dock as apples and perisables food stuffs? The toxic chemical could taint the consumer food in that area, and these shippers doesnt care about food safety would not dispose of the contaminated food. Again it show thai authority say one thing but does another, they will go on the news media to say they have the best port safety and practice anywhere in the world but does not care if someone shipped arsenic or other flamable toxic chemical throught the same port. Thailand is just as bad if not worst than china tainted milk scandal. Thai authority have 3rd world attitude and think like 3rd world country, dont be surprise if some terrorist shipped dirty bomb throught Laem Chabang port and it go in bangkok. In singapore and hong kong port, chemicals are unloaded in different port away from normal goods section where they have adequate facilties standby to deal with any spillage or accidents. Laem Chabang port have high concentration of factories and resident housing nearby, human lives will be at stake if another more toxic cloud cover the whole area. This government does nothing except to chase after thaksin all day.
Bee

Discussion 5 : 28/11/2009 at 08:34 PM5
This is Thailand, the land of authorities that have no responsibility
Paul 1

Discussion 4 : 28/11/2009 at 12:28 PM4
I did not read that the cause was even being investigated. Why did it leak in the first place? Was it dropped when it was unloaded from the ship, maybe? No investigation as to who was responsible? Or is it that the "Bangkok Post" just did not report all the facts?
Charlie

Discussion 3 : 28/11/2009 at 10:37 AM3
Hopefully what was left wasnt just washed into the sea .Will there be an enquiry into why such a dangerous chemical was leaking and then caught fire ? Will the people the hospital be compensated by someone ?
MMouse

Discussion 2 : 28/11/2009 at 07:30 AM2
How did it happen? Who is responsible? Were proper safety precautions taken?
I guess we'll never know as this will probably be another of those things that magicly just happens on it's own.
As will be the case when Thailand has it's first serious nucleaer accident.
Somboon

Discussion 1 : 28/11/2009 at 05:03 AM1
After 9 tonnes went up in flame, with 5 people are in serious condition and in a hospital, and 1 is dead, the authorities have already declared it is back to normal. The dead person may have a symtom of heart disease; but with the chemical inhaled/breathed, it might have pushed her health pass that limit, don't you think?

How can you say it is back to normal? How about longer term effect? How about those who are still in the hospital? How about those 200 families whose symtom may not show up yet? Think what if they were your family memebres? Be a little more responsible, please.

Situation back to normal at deep-sea port