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[Tigmond]

Loei villagers have high cyanide and mercury levels

By Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
Published on March 2, 2011

More than 400 villagers who live near gold mining areas in Loei's Wang Saphung districts had mercury levels that exceed safety standards, a recent health study showed yesterday.

A study conducted by Loei public health provincial office and Wang Saphung Hospital in June 2010, which assessed blood samples from 474 people living in six villages near gold mining. They were Ban Huay Phuk, Ban Koksathorn, Ban Na Nong Bong, Ban Kaeng Hin, Ban Non Phaphungpattana and Ban Phu Tap Pha.

The blood samples were sent for cyanide contamination tests at Ramathibodi Hospital. They were then sent to the Health Ministry's Occupational Health and Safety Bureau for tests on lead and mercury content.

The study was revealed to the public at a media conference yesterday organised by the National Health Commission.

The study showed that 348 of the 474 people had cyanide in their blood and 84 of these had levels that exceeded safe standards.

Some 414 of the villagers had mercury in their blood and 38 of these had levels over safe standards. One 43yearold woman had mercury 43 times higher than the government's recommended level.

A 6yearold boy also had excessive mercury in his blood. The report showed the 474 villagers had lead in their blood but it was not over standard levels.

"The hazardous chemicals that tainted in villagers' bodies would affect their health, such as their nervous systems and respiratory systems," Associate Professor Dr Pattaphong Ketsomboon of Khon Kaen University's Faculty of Medicine said.

He explained that cyanide contamination could affect people's brains and heart, and that mercury could cause neurological ailments. Mercury contamination could cause depression and lead to suicide among people who have high levels. Excessive lead would cause failure kidney and anaemia.

Also, pregnant women with high lead levels would be at risk of having a miscarriage, while men faced the risk of developing cancer.

"Related agencies should visit their homes and provide healthcare and protection to them," he said.

Prior to the tests, Cabinet asked the Industry Ministry to suspend the issuing of mining concessions for private firms till it learnt more details about possible impacts on local people's health, plus the environment and economic effects.

Ban Nong Bong villager Suraphan Rujichaiwat, 38, said he was found to have cyanide and mercury contamination in his blood but the amount was not over standard levels.

He said since the gold mine was established near his village, the river that villagers drank from was found to contain several hazardous chemicals, including mercury, cyanide and lead. "Villagers can no longer use water from the river for consumption. We have to buy water - for at least Bt 500 a month - to drink, instead of using natural water from the river as it is already tainted," he said.

"We now are worried about our health in the future as we have been affected for many years," he said.

Source : http://www.nationmul...l-30149852.html

[Frank P. Schneidewind]

Any industrialized country needs to treat their drinking water.......

Those who dip their buckets downstream from Thai or Chinese owned factories, should especially take precaution!