Pollution 'causing increase in cancer'
Air pollution from the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate is undeniably a key factor behind the increasing incidence of cancer among local people, an adviser to the National Cancer Institute said yesterday.
"Cancer may stem from various causes. However, air pollution is one of the main causes," Dr Petcharin Srivatanakul said. The industrial estate is located in Rayong's Muang district. According to a study conducted between 1997 and 2001 by the institute, Map Ta Phut residents had three to five times more reported incidences of leukaemia than those living elsewhere. The study prompted the Pollution Control Department (PCD) to propose the industrial estate become an environmentally controlled zone. The National Environmental Board recently ordered an in-depth study, which will be completed in one year. Pending the study's results, it will not make any decision on whether to go ahead with the proposal. "I believe the cancer incidences in the Map Ta Phut area will be higher in the future if relevant authorities do not urgently tackle the pollution problem," Patcharin said yesterday. The PCD has invited Patcharin to a discussion on the study next week. Meanwhile, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Kasem Sanidwong na Ayudhaya said he would meet with people from Map Ta Phut on January 21 to listen to their problems.
|
