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Journal of Public Health Policy, March 2020 | Achyut Aryal and Craig Morley
Asbestos is a primary cause of cancer worldwide. Global estimates indicate workplace exposure of 125 million people and about 255,000 deaths each year. Of the approximately 300 million metric tonnes of asbestos ever produced worldwide, most will become waste and disposed of in landfills. The recycling and transforming asbestos fibre into a non-harmful product offer a sustainable solution, but a global commitment remains elusive. Urgent action is needed.
IPEN & EARTH, October 2019
On 30 September 2019, EARTH visited Benjakitti Park and Lumphini Park located in Bangkok City, Thailand, and screened the playground equipment for lead content. In each playground, painted play equipment and the condition of painted surface were documented. This study shows that 20 out of 24 analyzed pieces of playground equipment contained total lead concentrations above 90 parts per million (ppm), dry weight. In addition, 14 analyzed pieces of playground equipment contained dangerously high lead levels above 10,000 ppm.; 15 out of 16 bright-colored painted surfaces contained lead concentrations above 90 ppm, dry weight; and the highest lead concentration detected was 72,300 ppm in a red monkey bar at a public playground in Benjakitti Park, Bangkok.
Co-Authors: Tanya Lee Roberts-Davis & Penchom Saetang
Ecological Alert and Recovery - Thailand (EARTH) | June 2019
Trading Away Health and the Environment provides an overview of the devastating impacts on the health and well-being of communities in Thailand where industrial waste processing facilities are being developed as part of an ongoing expansion of the transnational business of plastic and used electronics waste and scraps.
Jointly implemented by: EARTH (Thailand) and Arnika Association (Czechia) under the project: “Public participation through citizen science and EIA system enhancement” (Funded with support from the European Union)
Deadline for submitting: 5th July 2019
Authors: Jindřich Petrlík, Alice Dvorská, Václav Mach, Marek Šír, Jitka Straková, Akarapon Teebthaisong, Jana Tremlová, Peter A. Behnisch, Martin Bystrianský, Autthaporn Ritthichat, Penchom Saetang
By Arnika Association and Ecological Alert and Recovery - Thailand (EARTH) | December 2018
The data presented in the studies were obtained during sampling campaigns in Thailand in February 2015, February and March 2016, and February 2017. The sampling campaigns represent an important part of the project “Increasing Transparency in Industrial Pollution Management through Citizen Science.”
Author: Alice Dvorská, Ph.D., | December 2018
Passive samplers are chemical accumulators that can be used to assess ambient concentrations in either homogeneous or heterogeneous media into which they are deployed. They are increasingly employed in investigations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (Shoeib and Harner, 2002). There are various PAS sampling media and designs used. In contrast to high-cost active air samplers, passive air samplers (PAS) do not require pumps, sampling heads and a source of electricity. They are inexpensive and small and therefore increasingly used for POPs monitoring and spatial studies at local, regional and continental scales (Pozo et al., 2009 and references therein).
A report by Fortify Rights, October 2018
This report reveals that Thai authorities and Tungkum Ltd. committed and contributed to serious human rights violations and abuses against members of KRBKG and environmental defenders in Wang Sa Phung District, Loei Province. Violations and abuses include the arbitrary detention of human rights defenders and violations of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, a healthy environment.
Local residents in affected communities surrounding the gold mine largely rely on farming and the natural environment for their livelihoods and sustenance. Water and soil pollution has adversely impacted their daily lives and livelihoods. Residents have also complained about health conditions...
Authors: Petrlik J1,2, Teebthaisong A3, Bell L2,4, Behnisch PA5, Da M6, Saetang P3, Ritthichat A3, Kalmykov D7 | August 2018
Organizations: Arnika, IPEN, Ecological Alert and Recovery – Thailand (EARTH), National Toxics Network, BioDetection Systems BV (BDS), Nature University, Beijing, China, and Karaganda Regional Ecological Museum, Kazakhstan
There is a range of studies on PCDD/Fs and PCBs in eggs1-7. Eggs have been found to be sensitive indicators of PCDD/F and PCB contamination in soils and are an important exposure...
Authors: Teebthaisong A, Petrlik J, Ritthichat A, Saetang P, Strakova J | August 2018
Organizations: Ecological Alert and Recovery – Thailand (EARTH), IPEN, and Arnika – Toxics and Waste Programme
This study evaluates the results of the analyses for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the free-range chicken eggs in a vicinity of the artisanal recycling workshops in Samut Sakhon, a neighbouring province of Bangkok, Thailand. Free-range chicken eggs were used for monitoring levels of POPs contamination at certain places in many previous studies1-7. Eggs have been found to be sensitive indicators of POPs contamination in soils or dust and are an important exposure pathway from soil
A report by Toxics Link, 2017
Thermal papers are widely used to print the sale receipts in various sectors like grocery stores, gas stations and bank ATMs to ensure fast and accurate services. This paper is also used by the ticketing agencies, lottery systems and other businesses, which require accurate and high volume printouts.
In this study, twelve unused thermal paper samples from both known and local brands of different manufacturers and suppliers were randomly collected from different markets in New Delhi. We found BPA in concentration between 300 ppm and 6600 ppm in thermal papers with the average levels of 3037 ppm, which is exceedingly high and can have serious adverse impacts on human health and environment.
Author: Václav Mach, PhD.
Supporting data: RNDr. Jindřich Petrlík, Akarapon Teebthaisong, Autthaporn Ritthichat
Arnika – Toxics and Waste Programme, and Ecological Alert and Recovery - Thailand (EARTH), November 2017
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic chemicals that persist over long periods of time in the environment. This study is focused on the presentation of data related to contamination by POPs in 4 hotspot areas in Thailand: The Map Ta Phut industrial complex, the Samut Sakhon hotspot area, the Tha Tum industrial complex, and the Pulp and Paper industrial area near Khon Kaen.
Author: RNDr. Jindrich Petrlik
Supporting data: Akarapon Teebthaisong, Atthaporn Ritthichat
Bangkok, Prague, November 2017
In this study, we present the results of monitoring free-range chicken eggs from selected sites in Thailand which are contaminated by persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Free-range chicken eggs were used for monitoring levels of contamination by POPs in various locations in many previous studies. Eggs have been found to be sensitive indicators of POP contamination in soils or dust and are a significant exposure pathway from soil pollution to humans.
Authors: Penchom Saetang, Faikham Harnnarong, Sukran Rojanapaiwong
Published by:Campaign for Alternative Industry Network (CAIN)
Supported by: Heinrich Böll Foundation
January 2007
Exposing Unsustainable Industries and the Case for Community Right To Know and Prevention [Thailand Bucket Brigade]
By: Campaign for Alternative Industry Network (CAIN) / Greenpeace Southeast Asia (GPSEA) / Global Community Monitor (GCM), October 2005
This report gives fresh evidence that the proposed ‘Community Right To Know Law’ and the ‘National Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTR) System’ are essentially needed along with better environmental monitoring and direct involvement of affected communities in environmental decision-making with the aim to achieve environmental justice and sustainable society.
PRESS RELEASE 07 July 2020
In April of last year, the European Union joined Norway in co-sponsoring amendments to the world's only waste treaty to establish new trade controls on the dirtiest and most unrecyclable plastic wastes. These amendments were passed in response to countless human rights abuses, and environmental pollution caused by unregulated plastic waste dumping. Such problematic plastic wastes now will require prior consent by importing nations, and are listed under Annex II of the Basel Convention as "wastes requiring special consideration."
Bangkok Post 08 June 2020 | Anchalee Kongrut
Farm villagers in Ban Khai district in Rayong province have threatened legal action over wastewater pollution from a local recycling factory.
"Over the past few years, we have sent petitions to every channel possible, yet the pollution in our community has not been resolved. As our country still has a court and judicial system, we will seek help from the administrative court," said Paradorn Chanasoonthorn, founder of Network of Surface Water Monitoring, a local environmental watchdog.
06 June 2020 | Reported by EARTH
After repeated complaints to several government agencies over the past ten years by Nong Pawa villagers in Bang But subdistrict, Ban Khai district of Rayong province, who have been affected by chronic water pollution caused by Win Process Company’s recycling factories, the local residents have witnessed that their decade-long polluting problems in the area remain unsolved.
Statement by the Network of People Who Own Mineral Resources | 28 April 2020
The Network of People Who Own Mineral Resources issued a statement today (28 April) calling for the authorities to equally impose the Emergency Decree by halting all mining operation and mine licensing process.
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The Hankyoreh 24 April 2020 | Koo Bon-kwon, senior staff writer
Hwang Sang-ki has spent the last 13 years calling for Samsung to take responsibility for its negligence
On Apr. 21, a letter arrived for Hwang Sang-ki, president of Banollim, the human rights watchdog group for semiconductor workers, and father of Hwang Yu-mi, who passed away from acute leukemia after working at a Samsung Electronics semiconductor factory. It was an apology sent by Samsung Electronics CEO Kim Ki-nam.
Bangkok Post 21 April 2020 | Yuthana Praiwan, Lamonphet Apisitniran and Pitsinee Jitpleecheep
Packaging products see demand surge
Single-use plastic is making a comeback, as Thais order takeout and delivery in soaring volumes because of the pandemic.
Chiang Rai Times 20 April 2020
Thailand’s Environment Institute (TEI) is raising awareness over contaminated plastics and medical waste accumulating daily. The Institute estimates that the amount of used surgical masks nearly reaches 1 million pieces a day.
Bangkok Post 19 April 2020
Villagers affected by lead contamination in Klity Creek in Thong Pha Phum district in Kanchanaburi have petitioned the Administrative Court to suspend the rehabilitation scheme after lead sediment was once again detected in the water.
AFP 03 March 2020
PARIS: A "pandemic" of air pollution is shortening lives worldwide by nearly three years on average, and causing 8.8 million premature deaths annually, scientists said on Tuesday.
Eliminating the toxic cocktail of molecules and lung-clogging particles cast off by burning oil, gas and coal would restore a full year of life expectancy, they reported in the journal Cardiovascular Research.
Press Release 25 February 2020
BANGKOK/PRAGUE - Four environmental justice groups based in Thailand received funds to help them fight pollution in their local areas. This is a part of the subgrants programme of environmental organisations Ecological Alert and Recovery Thailand and Arnika, based in Czechia, and funded by the European Union. Sub-grants will support projects dealing with water and soil contamination, public health impact, wrongdoing by industrial polluters and protection of local water sources. The total amount of subgrant funding will be 22,500 EUR.
The Nation 25 February 2020
Bangkok’s air quality ranking took another hit, with the city being named the seventh worst in the world for air quality, while Chiang Mai was placed tenth, according to the application Air Visual today (February 25) as of 12.50pm.
Bangkok Post 09 February 2020 | Anchalee Kongrut
Samut Sakhon is seen by some as a success story but the riches have come at a toxic price.
Bangkok's seaside neighbour Samut Sakhon is known for many things -- as a fishing hub, a thriving seafood market, and also as the largest location of Myanmar's migrant community in Thailand.
Bangkok Post 23 January 2020 | Lamonphet Apisitniran and Yuthana Praiwan
The Industry Ministry has asked for cooperation from 68,757 factories nationwide to reduce their production capacity temporarily in order to tackle the ultra-fine dust causing widespread air pollution.
IPEN and Arnika Press Release | 22 January 2020
Environmental Health Groups Celebrate the End to EU Allowance for Banned Flame Retardant Chemicals to Enter Recycling Streams & New Products
Bangkok Post 21 January 2020 | William Hicks
Increase in waste imports from China may mean no net decrease from government plan
The recent ban on single-use plastic bags at major retailers created a stir for consumers and businesses, with social media abuzz with workarounds such as shoppers using wheelbarrows and stockings to carry off their 7-Eleven hauls. But is this step enough to reduce Thailand's massive plastic waste epidemic?
