Air and Water Pollution in Thailand

Water Pollution in Thailand

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater caused by human activities, which can be harmful to organisms and plants which live in these water bodies

Water pollution has become a serious environmental issue all over the world, including Thailand. Besides the fact that Thailand had less available water per person than any other country in Asia, and nearly one third of its water was “unsuitable for human consumption.''
Especially in the populous Central Region, where high levels of industrial and domestic wastewater is produced.

Coastal waters also face challenges. The Gulf of Thailand is primarily polluted by domestic wastewater, and further by waste from industry and tourism. In addition to the Gulf, high pollution levels were found at the mouths of the Chao Phraya, Tha Chin, Pak Panang, Pattani and Ranong rivers. Coastal water quality in most areas, however, are within acceptable standards.
Water pollution has become obvious in many areas. In 1997, hundreds of thousands of fish and other aquatic life in the Nam Phong River died as a result of industrial river pollution. Large amounts of arsenic were found in the groundwater in the Nakhon Si Thammarat province, a result of mining industry in the area

Effects to Human

Health Effects
Water pollution results in typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis, trachoma, hookworm infection and diarrhea. In 1999, hospitalization rates were:
Typhoid — 4,000 hospitalizations
Dysentery — 7,000
Diarrhea — 95,000
Exposure to toxins and heavy metals in water causes skin disease, liver cancer and birth defects. Klity Creek in Kanchanaburi province was found to carry dangerous levels of lead from a lead separation plant upstream. Lead levels are apparently the cause of many cases of Down's Syndrome in village children, unidentified illnesses in adults, and many cattle deaths. In 1998, the plant was closed and the creek dredged, although by 2000 lead levels were still considered unsafe.

Thai government's efforts

In 1992, the government passed several pieces of legislation to prevent water pollution; the laws primarily limit industrial water contamination:

• Enhancement and Conservation of National Environment Quality Act (NEQA) of 1992


• Factories Act of 1992


• Navigation in Thai Waterways Act (Volume 14 ) as amended in 1992


• Public Health Act of 1992


• Cleanliness and Tidiness of the Country Act of 1992
  The government continues to invest in wastewater treatment plants. In 2000, enough treated water was available to support 29% of the population, with more treatment plants under construction; upon completion, treated water would be able to support 65% of the population. The most common water treatment techniques are inexpensive to build and maintain, including oxidation ditches, aerated lagoons and stabilization ponds. The government is also investigating more effective and modern techniques such as constructed wetlands.

(Wikipedia, 2008)

What can individuals do for the prevention?

• Dispose of all unused household hazardous wastes at your local disposal site.
  


• Use natural alternatives.


• If you spill fertilizers, sweep them up, do not wash them into the streets and storm drains.
  


• Never apply fertilizers before a heavy rain is anticipated.
  


• Do not over apply fertilizers. More application does not mean a greener lawn, it means more watering and mowing


• Minimize the use of pesticides and herbicides and use alternatives if possible.
  


• Make sure that all directions and warnings are read before use


• Donate your old paint to community groups.
  


• Dispose of oil-based and lead paints at your local household hazardous waste collection site


• Recycle your used motor oil.
  


• Never pour used motor oil down a storm drain or onto your grass or driveway.
  


• Put litter into garbage cans, never throw it into storm drains or the street.
  


• Recycle as much plastic and other materials as possible