Effect of Maptaphud Industries on Quality of Life - ผลกระทบของโรงงานอุตสาหกรรมที่มีต่อคุณภาพชีวิตประชาชน กรณีศึกษามาบตาพุด

Abstract

          The objective of this descriptive study was to evaluate health, social, economic, political and environmental impacts of an industrial estate. Data was collected by 3 methods; a questionnaire for of 410 Maptaphud population, a focus group interview of stakeholders in the community: leaders, teachers, monks and laymen and, lastly, analysis of hospital and industrial estate data in the period January-February 2008. Results revealed both positive and negative impacts of the industrial estate. The positive impacts included the increase in employment, income, civilization, communication and public utilities. The important positive impact was believed to be land sale and factory-related business. The negative impacts consisted of increase in respiratory and skin diseases. Benzene ambient air and urine t,t muconic acid (metabolite of benzene) levels were much higher than standard levels. Hematologic malignancies prevalence in the surrounding areas were higher than those of Rayong and the country. Mental health effects included fear of environmental contaminations by chemicals. Changing lifestyles, disturbed human relationship and caring attitudes, increase in robberies, traffic accidents, chemical disasters, a decline in learning achievements, loss of cultural identities and reducing number of farmers and fishermen were among the negative social impacts reported. Major environmental impacts were contaminated rain and underground water, loss of beaches and sandbank erosions.

Key words: industries, quality of life, health impact