Blood tests conducted on villagers near Phichit mine
A MEDICAL team yesterday carried out a blood test at Ban Khiri Thep Nimit School in Phichit's Tab Khlor district for villagers who live near a gold mine run by Akara Resources.
The move follows a complaint by residents from Khao Mor area in Phichit, Phetchabun and Phitsanulok provinces to the National Council for Peace and Order via the Interior Ministry’s “Dhamrongtham Centre”. They claimed that mining activities involved the use of toxic chemicals that affected their health.
The mine had been granted a permit to hunt for minerals in the area.
The test – carried out by Central Institute of Forensic Science officials and the 10-strong medical team from Rangsit University (RSU) – will check for cyanide, plus arsenic, mercury, manganese and lead, RSU Faculty of Medical Technology deputy dean Oranan Prommano said.
The test results on the first batch of 200 people who lived in the area and those working at the mine should be out in a month, she said, adding the report would be submitted to a related working team assigned to solve the problem. Phetchabun-based soldiers from Phor Khun Phamuang Camp helped with the test.
A source reported that a soldier had to carry 40-year-old Somkid Thampawet, a former worker at the mine who loaded chemicals, to the blood and urine tests.
Somkid had worked for 13 years until he was diagnosed for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and his employment was terminated on August 1.
His relatives suspect the illness might stem from exposure to chemicals at his work, so they wanted him to be tested.
The mine had been granted a permit to hunt for minerals in the area.
The test – carried out by Central Institute of Forensic Science officials and the 10-strong medical team from Rangsit University (RSU) – will check for cyanide, plus arsenic, mercury, manganese and lead, RSU Faculty of Medical Technology deputy dean Oranan Prommano said.
The test results on the first batch of 200 people who lived in the area and those working at the mine should be out in a month, she said, adding the report would be submitted to a related working team assigned to solve the problem. Phetchabun-based soldiers from Phor Khun Phamuang Camp helped with the test.
A source reported that a soldier had to carry 40-year-old Somkid Thampawet, a former worker at the mine who loaded chemicals, to the blood and urine tests.
Somkid had worked for 13 years until he was diagnosed for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and his employment was terminated on August 1.
His relatives suspect the illness might stem from exposure to chemicals at his work, so they wanted him to be tested.
