Rainwater in Rayong and around the Map Ta Phut industrial estate was "a bit acidic", but not exceedingly toxic. It was unlikely to be a factor in the death of a local villager, a Kasetsart University lecturer said yesterday.
Asst Prof Suntharee Khunthong said local health authorities would need to confirm Surin Khomhong's cause of death. But mild acid rain could not cause abrupt wounds or skin infection on contact.
Surin, 59, died of exfoliative skin disorder. She was one of many locals who had long campaigned against ineffective preventive pollution-control measures.
Suntharee, who works at the KU campus in Sri Racha in neighbouring Chon Buri province, previously released results of a study which found that rainwater in the eastern provinces, including Rayong and the industrial estate was mildly acidic.
In her study, the lecturer only recommended against drinking rainwater.
The most acidic rainwater in Thailand, at a level considered toxic, was detected many years ago in Lampang's Mae Moh district, near a lignite-powered power plant set up by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.
"Those who have contact with such a high level of acid could suffer respiratory and skin diseases," she noted.