The Pollution Control Department has asked police to find the factories responsible for polluting canals in Saraburi province with heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.
Chanwit Kunya, the department’s legal affairs director, formally filed the complaint on Wednesday with Pol Maj Gen Anek Taosuparp, commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, said Surin Worakijthamrong, the director-general of the department.
Mr Surin said department officials collected samples of water from three canals — Klong Nong Nam Khiao, Klong Ket and Klong Huai Takhe — in Muang district on May 27 and 28. A preliminary examination found the samples contaminated with arsenic, lead and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The latter included benzene, dichloroethane, dichloromethane, ethylbenzene, toluene and trichloroethane — all substances associated with industrial activity.
Toluene is usually used as a solvent and precursor for the production of house paints, coats, thinner, cleaning agents, glue and adhesives.
Mr Surin said the department’s investigation found that wastewater was discharged illegally into Klong Huai Takhe, while unsafe levels of arsenic, lead and VOCs were detected in Klong Nong Nam Khiao, Klong Ket, Klong Huai Takhe and Klong Priao.
