Many pupils face health problems with water
Drinking water at almost two-thirds of schools in Thailand is substandard, according to random checks by the Medical Sciences Department.
Director-general Dr Paijit Warachit yesterday said the problems came from contaminated water sources, containers, coolers and filter machines in 63.12 per cent of the schools surveyed. Conducted between March and August, the random checks covered 724 schools in various provinces. The checks found large amounts of cadmium, lead, nitrate, manganese, aluminium, fluoride and micro-organisms in the drinking water at many schools. According to Paijit, these chemicals could be harmful to the drinkers. Too much manganese can cause fever, headaches, loss of appetite and weakened muscles. Too much iron could cause nausea and osteoporosis. Paijit said the findings had been given to the relevant authorities, including the Education Ministry and schools. "All of them are eager to eradicate the problem. If left unattended, these problems will adversely affect children's health," Paijit said.
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