Dr. Pinsak Suraswadi, Director General of Pollution Control Department (PCD), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), revealed that H.E. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment was concerned about chemical accidents during Songkran Festival. H.E. Varawut Silpa-archa assigned PCD to set up 1) an environmental emergency response team of Environmental Protection Unit (EPU), 2) equipments for analyzing pollution in the field, and 3) environmental laboratories at PCD, Rayong Pollution Control Center, and Environmental and Pollution Control Office 1-16, to jointly support local authorities in measuring environmental quality and providing technical advice on preventing and resolving problems that may arise during Songkran Festival.
Dr. Pinsak said that during Songkran Festival, chemical accidents may be occurred due to dry seasons and high temperatures. Several entrepreneurs are closed and reduced production because they allow employees to return to their hometowns during long holidays. Examples of chemical accidents include
1) chemical spills from factories that use ammonia as a refrigerant, 2) fires in factories or chemical warehouses, 3) fires at solid waste disposal sites, 4) overturned trucks of chemicals and hazardous substances, 5) dumping of wastewater from pollution sources, and 6) illegal dumping of hazardous waste in public areas such as pits, abandoned mines, roadside or parking areas, public water sources, and hidden areas. All chemical accidents affect public health and environment. Statistics of chemical accidents in 2022 were found 33 times, including industrial plants 22 times, transportation of chemicals and hazardous substances 8 times, and other types such as landfill fires 3 times.
PCD, as an agency under the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Plan 2015, has prepared tools and personnel of Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) to handle the situations. In addition, PCD has asked for cooperation from government agencies, disaster mitigation agency networks, and entrepreneurs to 1) prepare personnel to take care of the area, 2) be strict in security, 3) be careful in the transportation of chemicals and hazardous substances, 4) store chemicals and hazardous substances properly, and 5) keep the fire alarm and fire suppression systems running normally to prevent incidents. Local authorities or people who find an emergency can report an emergency through Hotline 1650, Dr. Pinsak said.
