Health Impacts in Pollution Control Area: Rayong Province

Abstract

This situation analysis was to identify health impact of pollution and environmental problems on people in pollution control area, Rayong province, such as Mab Tha Phut and its neighborhood, in 2011. The study was done by using the psycho social qualitative method, and a documentary research, analyzing data and information by using content analysis technique, and synthesize information by using triangulation technique such as concepts/theories/researches from international, primary and secondary of related researches, and opinions of committees and experts.        

The study revealed that 1) this area had empirical pollution and environmental problems especially air pollution 2) environmental problems affected health in 4 dimensions, physical, mental, social and spiritual (cognitive) 3) environmental problems affected individual health, in particular, chemical accident. The chronic diseases such as cancer, allergy and respiratory diseases were caused by multiple factors. Although some biomarkers level e.g. t,t muconic acid were higher than standard level, there were no clinical studies to confirm that the health impact in this area were mainly due to pol-lution.        

Six policy recommendations for this area emerge: 1) Ministry of Public Health must provide the special public health service 2) Pushing other relevant agencies should strictly control and solve pollution and environmental health problems. 3) Identifying risk and health determinants that affect people, including surveillance and control closely health effects are needed. 4) Capacity building of personnel at all levels are pertinent. 5) People and social networks should to be involved in the assessment of environmental and health impact. 6) Integration of tasks in all aspects will be one of its key sucess.          

Furthermore, the results of this study reflected that Thailand should strictly be concerned about health impact in every area by increasing intersectoral participation.