MPs move forward in harmony, urging the government to investigate missing cadmium waste. Some parts are expected to have been melted. Pollution leaks into the community Pointing out that it is time to have a PRTR law to disclose information on the movement of toxic substances to the public.
On April 7, 2024, MPs moved beyond Facebook Live to set up an emergency discussion group. Warn the public and question the government about the disappearance of 15,000 tons of cadmium waste, some of which may have been smelted. There is toxic contamination in the community. In the conversation included Krit Panniam, Tak MP, District 1, the area where the zinc mine is located. The source of approximately 15,000 tons of cadmium waste is Natthaphong Sumanotham, MP for Samut Sakhon District 1, the area where cadmium waste was found preparing to be smelted. Chawan, Good Samaritan, MP for Chonburi District 3, Ban Bueng area where 7,000 tons of cadmium residue was found and it is believed that some of it has already been smelte
d. Poonsak Chanchampi, list of MPs Environmental expert and Dejrat Sukkamnerd, director of the Think Forward Center, the Forward Party Policy Center
Krit, as Tak MP, stated that the Pha Daeng zinc mine is a large mine that has been in existence for 40 years. Even though it has closed today, it still leaves an impact in the area from the cadmium leak. which is a result of mining Many areas cannot be cultivated. Cadmium waste from the Pha Daeng mine was originally buried in a cement pond, which was technically correct, but Tak residents suddenly learned the news along with the whole Thai nation that a pond had been opened to take cadmium out and sell it. This caused a lot of panic in the area. Importantly, the Ministry of Industry also stated that the cadmium waste would be returned to its original location. But there was no investigation into whether the well that had been opened would leak toxic substances or not. Including not checking the origin of the well opening to see if it was done correctly or not.
‘I would like to know why there is such inequality in the management of the situation. in Samut Sakhon and Chonburi There was a rush to inspect and close off the area, but at Tak there was no inspection at all. Plus he said he would put the cadmium waste back in its original place. Soon the summer storm will come. Local residents are very concerned about the tailings pond that has been opened. When it encounters a rainstorm, will it leak and carry toxins into natural water sources? And if cadmium waste is brought back Will the pond be sealed as before?’ Krit said.
Chawan, MP for Chonburi, said he had received complaints from people in the area for some time that they had smelled an unusual smell from the smelter in Khlong Kiew Subdistrict. which is an e-waste recycling plant of a Chinese investment group In addition, people also found that pets did not go to drink from natural water sources like they used to. I once went to inspect the factory area and found many suspicious-looking big bags. Today it was dis
covered that the bag contained 7,000 tonnes of cadmium residue, many of which were found in front of the furnace. This led to the belief that some of the cadmium residue had already been melted. which is considered a very serious matter He therefore has an urgent proposal to the government as follows:
The government must declare the Khlong Kiew area a pollution control zone.
Inspect smelters and waste landfills in smelter areas throughout the country. Both with a license and without a license
Check for false declarations of imported hazardous industrial waste as raw materials into the country.
Stop issuing additional licenses to smelters.
Poonsak, as a list MP with environmental expertise, confirmed that cadmium waste when smelted must be treated for air pollution. And there is also a wastewater treatment system. This is because acid fumes from cadmium melting will fall to the surface and contaminate water sources. But all factories in Khlong Kiew do not have air or water treatment systems. Moreover, the
re was no proper permission granted. This makes the situation in the area very worrying that there may already be cadmium contamination in the community. Government officials need to expedite investigation. For the comfort and safety of the people
As for Samut Sakhon, Natthaphong, the MP who owns the area, stated that Although recently additional cadmium waste was found in another spot in the Bang Nam Chuet area of ??Samut Sakhon, cadmium smelting has not yet been found. and no contamination was found But the government’s unclear information has caused panic. There is even a saying that they will not eat seafood from Mahachai. Due to fear of cadmium He would like to confirm that the Mahachai area and the Gulf of Thailand and the areas where cadmium residue was found are very far apart. There is also no smelting of mineral waste. Therefore, there is absolutely no cadmium contamination into seafood.
But at the same time Local residents have long been concerned that local smelters secretly smelt heavy metals a
nd hazardous substances during the night. and release mineral waste into the river which is a chronic problem Affecting the health of people throughout the province He therefore asked the government to use this opportunity to revise the entire system for managing toxic substances from industrial plants.
Poonsak concluded by saying: The initial proposal that the Progressive Party wants the government to urgently address is:
The Ministry of Industry must urgently verify the information and disclose it. and take this opportunity to review the entire waste management and industrial wastewater management system.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment must inspect the process of mining the tailings to see if it has received permission from the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), and the public has participated in the process of listening to opinions on the granting of permission to dig the tailings. Mineral or not Including the need to expand the responsibility of
ONEP to cover after the project is closed. In addition, the Pollution Control Department should also have the authority to inspect contaminated areas from factory operations.
Review the justice process for environmental cases. In particular, the police, prosecutors and courts must understand the problem of the spread of pollution. and must urgently be dealt with, such as in the case of the Wax Garage factory in Ratchaburi Province It took more than 10 years and the case is still not finished. Including the need to increase the punishment for offenders.
Lawmakers and the Prime Minister must expedite the enactment of the PRTR (Pollution Control Release and Transport Act) in order to disclose pollution information to the public so that they can know the risks of the area as quickly as possible. The Progressive Party has submitted a draft PRTR bill to the House of Representatives. It is hoped that at the opening of the next parliamentary session, the government side will quickly raise this law for consideration
. Do not let the cows disappear and surround them in the pens like in the past.
Source: Thai News Agency