Protest warning over ironworks

Metal dust clouds from Namheng Steel Co, Ltd

The Namheng ironworks is seeking to restart work after a forced 60-day shutdown for maintenance of emission filters.

The Industrial Works Department ordered the factory closed on June 14 following complaints from residents. One, Sanom Potirat, a non-smoker, was diagnosed with emphysema. He blames iron dust emissions from the plant.

Namheng compensated him with Bt12,610 for medical expenses incurred since he developed the illness. Last week, the factory took he and his wife to Mitraphab Hospital in Saraburi for treatment and covered the Bt800 cost.

It agreed to cover the cost of specialist treatment at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, too.

"The factory has taken good care of me but I will still join the other villagers in pushing the factory to prevent more emissions," Sanom said yesterday.

According to the department's Lop Buri office, Namheng this past Friday notified it the company was resuming work.

"I said it can't reopen until it has put in place proper dust-control measures," the office's factory-division head Samphan Kositpol said.

Department specialists will inspect the factory before permitting work to recommence.

"If it emits any more dust we will, of course, protest," said resident Pranom Yimthanom yesterday.

She added that a list of those affected by the emission would be provided to the department.

Factory manager Somsak Methawattharakul declined to comment.

Somroutai Sapsomboon

The Nation

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