Thread: Cadmium Waste Crisis Unfolds

An initial inspection by the Pollution Control Department’s branch in Samut Sakhon province, where 15,000 tonnes of carcinogenic cadmium waste were being stored in smelting warehouses, has revealed that no people have been affected by the chemical so far, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Patcharawat Wongsuwan has said.


Officials from the department in Bangkok have been assigned to work with provincial officials to check for contamination inside the warehouses, as well as in the surrounding air and natural resources.


They are also tasked with informing the public about the dangers of the cadmium waste, the minister added.


Patcharawat stated that, if the chemical remains in enclosed areas, it would not impact the environment or the vicinity, but the ministry remains concerned about its presence in the province.


Samut Sakhon’s governor Phol Damtham, meanwhile, has declared the areas surrounding the warehouses a disaster zone, prohibiting entry due to the discovery of the cadmium waste, which were illegally transported from the northern province of Tak.


He said that cadmium waste has been transported to the area since August last year and he has ordered its return to the original site in Tak within seven days.

Governor orders return of cadmium waste from Samut Sakhon to Tak within seven days | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

Tonnes of carcinogenic cadmium in Samut Sakhon go missing : Industry minister

An inspection of smelting warehouses storing carcinogenic cadmium waste in Samut Sakhon province have revealed that about 10,000 tonnes have gone missing.


Industry Minister Pimpatra Wichaikul, who visited a warehouse on Friday, revealed that the volume of stored cadmium waste did not match the transfer permits issued to a firm in Tak province.


“The original firm in Tak was granted approval to transfer about 13,000 tonnes of cadmium waste, but we found only 2,440 tonnes of waste here in the warehouses,” Pimpatra said.


The waste was transferred from Tak to Samut Sakhon in August last year. Initial investigations show that the firm in Samut Sakhon has a license to engage in this business.


Pimpatra tasked provincial industrial officials with locating the missing cadmium waste and she confirmed that Samut Sakhon governor had order the waste to be returned to Tak, despite the Tak firm having a legitimate license to transfer the waste.


Meanwhile, officials from the Primary Industries and Mines Department in Tak visited the source firm’s site and found it to be out of business and its buildings had already been dismantled.


There was, however, evidence of cadmium waste left there, so they collected samples for examination.


Tonnes of carcinogenic cadmium in Samut Sakhon go missing : Industry minister | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

Tip of the iceberg i'd imagine. I wonder when some of these landfill sites will start affecting ground water purity. I thinks in a genration or two they'll be some terrible contamination.

Police arrest Chinese warehouse owner for storing cadmium waste


Cadmium residue reported missing from a factory in Samut Sakhon province has been recovered, and a foreigner has been arrested, officials said on Saturday after inspecting a factory.
Police arrested Liu Lu, a 38-year-old Chinese national and owner of the warehouse where over 7,000 tons of cadmium waste were stored. He reportedly confessed to preparing them for sale in China.


Police along with officials from the Department of Factories and the Industrial Office of Samut Sakhon found and seized cadmium waste within the premises of J and B Metal Co Ltd located in Bang Nam Jeud sub-district, Mueang district, Samut Sakhon province earlier this week.


Officials found that some of the cadmium waste brought from Tak province were missing. They discovered transportation documents indicating the transfer of waste from J and B Metal Co to another company in Khlong Kiew sub-district, Ban Bueng district, Chonburi province.


On Saturday, police found big bags containing substances resembling cadmium waste and the exterior of the bags was sprayed with paint, similar to what was found in the factory in Samut Sakhon province.


Police arrest Chinese warehouse owner for storing cadmium waste


Officials from the Department of Factories and the Industrial Office of Chonburi coordinated to conduct a detailed inspection. Initially, the Department of Factories confirmed that it was the same batch of cadmium waste found in Samut Sakhon province.


Subsequently, it was found that the cadmium waste had not been removed for melting.


Liu Lu admitted to purchasing the cadmium from one Zhang for distribution in China. Based on this information, the authorities have charged Liu Lu with being in possession of hazardous substances and confiscated the warehouse, prohibiting unauthorised individuals from entering or leaving until all the cadmium had been properly handled.


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Minister of Industry Pimphattra Wichaikul has instructed officials to expedite the process of safely and swiftly burying all the cadmium waste back at the original source. Additionally, they must verify if there was any remaining cadmium waste elsewhere to alleviate public concerns.

Liu Lu admitted to purchasing the cadmium from one Zhang for distribution in China. Based on this information, the authorities have charged Liu Lu with being in possession of hazardous substances and confiscated the warehouse, prohibiting unauthorised individuals from entering or leaving until all the cadmium had been properly handled.

i.e. sold to china as originally planned, but with a thai rather than a filthy foreigner trousering the proceeds of the transaction.

You take your finger off these mainlander peasants for a minute and you will have serious problems. Why they should be allowed to own anything other than condo's in Thailand is fucking beyond me.

Originally Posted by Bonecollector

Why they should be allowed to own anything other than condo's in Thailand is fucking beyond me.

Yes why ?

But fact is, that they own and run Thailand.

They have even designed the country to your liking.

Took them slightly more than a minute though

This is a big story around here in Tak. Looks like nobody wants that cadmium brought back here.

Cadmium Waste Crisis Unfolds in Chonburi

Chonburi Provincial Police, alongside the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, uncovered a substantial amount of cadmium waste in a warehouse in Khlong Kiew Subdistrict, Ban Bueng district, Chonburi province, on April 6. The operation led to the confiscation of 4,200 bags of the hazardous material, weighing an estimated 6,720 tonnes, previously traced to a factory in Samut Sakhon. The warehouse is owned by a 38-year-old Chinese national, Liu Lu, who admitted to acquiring the waste for distribution.


The incident follows the initial discovery of 100 bags of cadmium waste on April 3 in Samut Sakhon province. The waste is believed to have been illegally shipped from Tak province, a region now declared a disaster zone due to the environmental threat. The Samut Sakhon Governor has since ordered the waste returned to Tak for proper disposal within seven days. The incident led to a 90-day ban on access to the affected factory and surrounding areas in the province.


Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has directed Industry Minister Pimpatra Wichaikul to personally inspect the situation and ensure the swift handling of the toxic waste. The Industry Minister later revealed a discrepancy in the accounted waste, with 2,440 tonnes located but 10,000 tonnes missing until their discovery in Chonburi.


The incident has brought to light the dangers of cadmium, a toxic metal that poses severe environmental and health risks upon exposure. The Tak Provincial Industry Office has defended the legality of the waste transport, insisting on compliance with all relevant regulations and confirming the factory's operation under a valid license.

https://thainews.prd.go.th/nbtworld/.../208530/?bid=1

Search continues for 5,000 tonnes of missing cadmium slag

Officials from the Industrial Works Department and police from the Natural Resources and Environment Crime Division are trying to locate about 5,000 tonnes of cadmium slag, which remain unaccounted for.


13,832 tonnes of slag were illegally moved from a landfill in Tak province to Samut Sakhon last August, and stored in warehouses in Bang Nam Jerd and Khlong Kio sub-districts in Chon Buri, reportedly awaiting smelting. 8,474 tonnes have, so far, been recovered and impounded, while waiting to be sent back to Tak province.


The owner of the warehouses in Samut Sakhon, a Taiwanese businessman, claimed that he did not own the cadmium slag, but simply took delivery of cadmium and zinc slag for safe keeping, on behalf of a company in Samut Sakhon, not knowing whether the materials were toxic.


According to Samut Sakhon Governor Phol Damtham, provincial health officials took urine samples last Thursday from 11 workers at warehouses where cadmium slag was being stored.


Lab tests show eight of them have high levels of cadmium in their bodies, although none of them have developed any symptoms. All are now being treated at the provincial hospital.


Officials from the Medical Science and Health departments have collected water and food samples for testing from households in the neighbourhood of the warehouses.


Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong said that residents in the neighbourhood of the warehouses have been asked to get medical check-ups at the provincial hospital, to determine the cadmium levels in their bodies.


In Khlong Kio sub-district of Chon Buri, officials from the disease control office have collected blood and urine samples from 20 Thais and four Myanmar nationals for lab tests. N95 face masks have also been sent to Ban Bueng district, for distribution to people in the neighbourhood of the warehouse where cadmium slag was found.


Consuming food or drink contaminated with high levels of cadmium can cause stomach irritation, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Headaches and flu-like symptoms, swelling of the throat and tingling in the hands can also occur.


Search continues for 5,000 tonnes of missing cadmium slag | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

Summonses issued to partners in company where cadmium slag was found

Police have issued summonses for the partners in the company in Samut Sakhon province, on whose premises carcinogenic cadmium waste was initially discovered, Industry Minister Pimpatra Wichaikul said today.


The partners in J & B Metal Co., Ltd., identified only as “Jessada” and “Wanna”, are scheduled to meet with officers of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division tomorrow at 9am, she said.


Both partners will be questioned regarding the storage of approximately 3,040 tonnes of cadmium waste in their company’s warehouses. The police want to determine if similar waste has also been stored at other locations,” added the minister.


It has been confirmed that about 15,000 tonnes of the cadmium waste discovered at their warehouses originated from a factory in the border province of Tak.


Initial investigations have revealed that the firm in Tak holds a license to transfer the waste to Samut Sakhon, while the company in Samut Sakhon has obtained permits to conduct its business.


As of today, 3,040 tonnes of cadmium waste have been found at J & B Metal, 4,400 tonnes at a factory in the Ban Bueng district of Chon Buri province, 1,034 tonnes at Cin Hong Cheng Inter Tech (2008) and 500 tonnes at a factory in the Kathum Baen district of Samut Sakhon.

Summonses issued to partners in company where cadmium slag was found | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

A panel set up to solve cadmium slag problem

The premier has ordered the setting up of an ad hoc committee, comprising the authorities concerned to handle the problem of cadmium slag which is believed to be scattered across several provinces.


The committee will comprise representatives from ministries of Industry, Interior, Public Health and Natural Resources and Environment ministries as well as police and the Department of Special Investigation.


About 13,000 tonnes of the material, previously buried in a landfill in Tak province, had been recovered and illegally sent to Samut Sakhon, among other provinces, reportedly to be smelted down.


Most of it has now been recovered from warehouses in Samut Sakhon and Chon Buri provinces, leaving some 4,000 tonnes still unaccounted for.


The prime minister wants the committee to work to recover the remaining 4,000 tonnes and have all of it sent back to its original location in Tak province for proper disposal.


More than 8,000 tonnes of cadmium slag have, so far, been recovered and impounded at warehouses in Samut Sakhon and Chon Buri provinces.


Police from the Natural Resources and Environment Crime Division searched a factory in an industrial estate in Kabin Buri district of Prachin Buri, but found only about 500 tonnes of zinc slag.


According to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, most of the cadmium produced today is obtained from zinc byproducts and recovered from spent nickel-cadmium batteries and is extremely hazardous to human health.

A panel set up to solve cadmium slag problem | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

Summary of cadmium mineral issues.


1. Cadmium is a waste obtained from many mining industries, such as zinc mines. So the production is cadmium.


2. The early story of cadmium is cadmium stored in warehouses and industrial ponds at Tak, which contains approximately three hundred thousand tons of cadmium, is stored here and legally, these cadmium shells will be buried forever, unable to dig up.


3. There is a good hand. I secretly dug and transported a lot of these cadmium jars about 15000 tons and sent them to sell to Chinese investors. (This issue, the police said that the digger has a license to dig, but these minerals have a ban on mining forever. So, the issue is that who issued the license to them should have a police officer involved.)


4. Cadmium is a high-value mineral that can be used as an ingredient in many industries, such as the electric, battery, solar cell industry, which is now booming in China.


5. Chinese investors bought 8250 baht per ton and then resell it to smelters in many areas such as Samutsakhon. Take it to Talung Am before sending to China. The price of low grade cadmium shows that the market price is about 40 thousand baht per ton. If it's good grade, it's seven hundred thousand per ton.


6. All factories in Thailand do not have high enough technology to melt cadmium safely and do not pollute the environment. As it turns out that the workers in the factory who find cadmium difficult, when taken to check, they found abnormal high cadmium levels.


7. If cadmium is contaminated into the environment, if it goes into water source, to sea animals such as fish and shells. When people eat it, there will be a dangerous accumulation of cadmium. It is called ititis. It causes the person who received cadmium to collect kidney, liver attack, and pain all over the body. All of them become disabled.


8. Officers are quickly inspecting the surroundings where cadmium was found to have contamination.


9. Recently found Cadmium around Bang Sue. Hundreds of tons.

Part of Bangkok’s Bang Sue declared Hazmat zone

The Bang Sue district in Bangkok has declared the area where the latest 300 tonnes of toxic cadmium slag were found a Hazmat (hazardous materials) zone.


The slag was discovered stored in 190 bags in the warehouse of Lor Loha Thai Metal Company, located in Soi Riang Preecha off Pracharat Road.


Entry to the area is now prohibited and all activities are banned. A hazmat team has been dispatched to work with officials from the Departments of Industrial Works and Health.


Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, along with Industry Minister Pimpatra Wichaikul, visited the warehouse today.

The Bang Sue district will officially declare the area a “disaster zone” under the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act, BE 2550 (2007), the governor announced.


The Bangkok company shares ownership with J&B Metal Company in the Bang Nam Jerd sub-district of Samut Sakhon, where cadmium slag, originally from Tak province, was previously found.


The owners, Jessada and Wanna Kengrungruengchai, have been charged with storing a dangerous substance without a permit, and the 300 tonnes of cadmium slag have been impounded, albeit in situ for now.


Meanwhile, the Industry Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Nattapol Rangsitpol, stated that there is additional cadmium waste, stored in bags, which has not yet been weighed at the warehouses of J & B Metal Co., Ltd.


The bags were found both inside and outside the warehouses, Nattapol mentioned yesterday.


This re-inspection at the warehouses occurred after officials cross-referenced their findings with the inventory list seized during the initial inspection.


Officials are currently investigating possible routes by which the slag could have been shipped and are now checking warehouses in Sa Kaew province.

Part of Bangkok's Bang Sue declared Hazmat zone | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

Bags Feared of Possibly Containing Missing Hazardous Cadmium Waste Found Near Pattaya

Villagers in Nongprue, Chonburi province, discovered a large number of black plastic bags containing an unidentified black substance near a local excavation pit. They feared it might be lost hazardous cadmium waste, however Nongprue authorities have stressed that the substance is still undergoing testing and there is no current final determination on what they are.


On April 10th, 2024, local authorities, including the Banglamung District Chief, the Industrial Engineer from the Industrial Office, the Mayor of Nongprue Municipality, and police officers from the Nongprue Police Station, went to inspect the questionable pit in response to complaints from concerned citizens.


There, they discovered a large number of fertilizer bags containing unknown black substances. The substance was in the form of sediment that had spilled out of the damaged bags. They were scattered around the edge of the excavation pit, which is filled with water currently.

According to concerned citizens, the substance raised concerns among nearby villagers, who feared that it could be the 4,000 tons of cadmium waste that have yet to be found from a previous incident.


Samples of the substance were collected for testing to determine if it contained any hazardous materials. In the meantime, the area has been cordoned off and villagers are prohibited from entering.




Mr. Chatchai Pokechap, 55, the caretaker of the excavation site, said that a truck driver had dumped the big bags there about two weeks ago. He did not know what the substance was, but he said that some of it was magnetic, which led him to believe that it was sand used to wash metal, and he guessed it might not be dangerous.


However, Mr. Wikit Rojmanakit, the Banglamung District Chief, said that the area will be closed to the public for now until authorities find out what the substance is. The result is expected to be made public within two days.

Meanwhile, Nongprue police are attempting to identify the truck that had dumped the bags there.


Bags Feared of Possibly Containing Missing Hazardous Cadmium Waste Found Near Pattaya - The Pattaya News

Neighbours of cadmium store in Samut Sakhon have high cadmium levels

Sixteen people living in the vicinity of the J&B Metal warehouse in Samut Sakhon’s Bang Nam Jerd sub-district have been found to have high levels of cadmium in their bodies and have been treated at the provincial hospital, according to the Provincial Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office.


Health officials tested urine samples from 34 people living near the warehouse, where cadmium slag, illegally sent from Tak province, is being stored. 16 of showed high levels.
At the provincial hospital, four of them were found to be suffering from skin rashes, but their conditions are not life-threatening.


Thirteen employees at another company, Chin Hong Choeng Intertrade (2008), also in Bang Nam Jerd sub-district, where 1,034 tonnes of cadmium slag were found, were tested as well, but nothing unusual was found.


Earlier, urine samples were taken from 21 employees of the J&B Metal Company and seven were found to contain high levels of cadmium, with four also suffering from mild anaemia, although none of them fall sick. They were advised to get medical check-ups periodically.


About 15,000 tonnes of cadmium slag have been illegally removed from a landfill in Tak province and taken to the warehouse of J&B Metal Company in Samut Sakhon since late last year. Some of the hazardous material was later distributed to other warehouses in the province, in Chon Buri and Bang Sue district of Bangkok.


At the J&B Metal warehouse, 6,491 tonnes of cadmium slag were found and impounded. 1,034 tonnes were found in the Chin Hong Choen Intertrade warehouse in Bang Nam Jerd sub-district and 468 tonnes were found in a warehouse, allegedly belonging to Korn Watcharaphol, in Krathum Baen district of Samut Sakhon.


About 150 tonnes, not 300 tonnes as previously reported, were found at a warehouse in Bangkok’s Bang Sue district.
All the impounded cadmium slag found in Samut Sakhon is to be sent back to the landfill in Tak province by the end of May.

Neighbours of cadmium store in Samut Sakhon have high cadmium levels | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

Substance in Bags Found Near Pattaya Turns Out to be Harmless Scrap Metal

Authorities confirmed that the black substance found in bags abandoned at an excavation pit near Pattaya on Wednesday turned out to be just harmless scrap metal, not the carcinogenic cadmium waste that locals feared.

The discovery of numerous white bags discarded near a pit in Moo 7, Pattaya, raised concerns among locals who feared the bags might contain missing cadmium waste. This prompted the Banglamung officials to investigate the site and collect samples of the black substance for analysis.

On April 11st, 2024, Mr. Wichai Manarojkij, the Banglamung District Chief, announced the results of the analysis. It has been confirmed that the black powder was not cadmium but rather scrap metal likely from a foundry. Mr. Wichai stated that the powder does not have health risks unless it is consumed or directly touched.


Mr. Wichai urged the public to remain calm and report any suspicious objects immediately to the Banglamung District Office. In the meantime, the police are still searching for the truck that dumped the power there.

UPDATE: Substance in Bags Found Near Pattaya Turns Out to be Harmless Scrap Metal - The Pattaya News

With the crap around Pattaya, this could be happening a lot.

Originally Posted by cyrille

With the crap around Pattaya, this could be happening a lot.

the thing is most dumps are largely unregulated, they haven't been assessed on whether they can affect the local aquafer and aren't policed as to what goes in them - in my opinion they are a ticking timebomb in Thailand. This incident is just the tip of the iceberg - a lot of industrial waste produced here but who knows wtf it goes

Yes, it's always going to be a weak spot in Thailand.

It takes attentive and responsible people to deal with such things and, well...

Still, bonecollector discovered a Japanese bridge at the end of his street, so we live in hope.

Company executive claims foul play over cadmium controversy

An executive of J&B Metal Company has claimed that his purchase, through auction, of cadmium slag from Bound and Beyond Plc, a company in Tak province, and the transport of the slag to Samut Sakhon were legitimate and that he might be a victim of foul play by his competitors.


Jesada Kengrungruangchai reported to the Natural Resources and Environment Crime Division (NRECD) today, to acknowledge the charges against him.


Pol Maj-Gen Watcharin Phusit, commander of the NRECD, said that Jesada was charged with illegal possession of toxic materials, because the company’s warehouse in Bang Na Jeod sub-district does not have a license to store them.


A warehouse in Krathum Baen district, belonging to others, where cadmium slag was stored, as well as the warehouse of Lor Loha Thai Metal in Bang Sue district of Bangkok, in which Jesada is a shareholder, have no licenses to store toxic materials either, said the police officer.


Jesada claims that he bought 13,800 tonnes of slag, which contained about 38% cadmium slag, for about 8 million baht for the purpose of separating the zinc content, which can fetch up to 300 baht per kilogram.


He claimed that he did not want the cadmium slag, adding that the cadmium had already been neutralised at its source.


He said that he actually received only 12,000 tonnes of the slag.


Jesada also claimed that he kept the slag at various warehouses, because his warehouse did not have enough space to store all of it. He said that he sold some of it because he was short of cash, adding that he is in the process of selling some more of it to a buyer in Laos, who operates a separation facility.


He said he believes that he is a victim of foul play by someone who lost in the initial auction of the slag.

Company executive claims foul play over cadmium controversy | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

Relocation of Cadmium Tailings Set for May

Industry Minister Pimphattra Wichaikul has announced that Bound & Beyond Plc will begin relocating cadmium tailings from Samut Sakhon, Bangkok, and Chon Buri back to Tak on May 7, with completion targeted within 36 days. The operation will see 450 tonnes of cadmium tailings transported daily using 30 trucks, a significant increase from the originally planned 10 trucks, which would have extended the process to 92 days.


A committee overseeing transportation recommended the adjustment in the number of trucks to expedite the relocation. Key safety measures include double-bagging the tailings during transit and securing the disposal pits with two layers of 1.5-millimeter HDPE sheets. These pits will undergo regular monitoring, including subterranean water checks, to prevent environmental contamination.


The operation is in response to the discovery of 12,421 tonnes of cadmium tailings that had been illegally moved from a landfill in Tak to various industrial and storage locations across the three provinces.


According to Pimphattra, a meeting has also been scheduled to review the detailed relocation plans, ensuring all participating agencies are coordinated on the safety protocols and timelines for this critical environmental operation.

https://thainews.prd.go.th/nbtworld/.../231383/?bid=1

Tak villagers near cadmium waste store to have role in remediation process

Authorities in Tak province have agreed to participation by villagers living near a factory, where tons of carcinogenic cadmium waste were stored, in processes to ensure their safety.


The villagers will send their representatives to join inspections by the authorities handling the cadmium slag in warehouses in Tak’s Muang district.


Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna will also take part in the inspections.


The request to be involved came from about 200 villagers living near the warehouses during a meeting with Tak authorities.


The meeting was chaired by Tak Governor Somchai Kitcharoenrungroj.


The issue of the cadmium slag received nationwide attention after thousands of tons were found stored in a factory in the central province of Samut Sakhon earlier this month.


Authorities traced the material back to warehouses in Tak, where some of the waste was buried in the factory’s compound.


The villagers are demanding that the slag already buried be dug up and re-buried, because the present site is in poor condition and they fear that the waste will leak onto nearby land and environment.


When the cadmium is excavated, the villagers want to observe the process to ensure adherence to the rules.


They acknowledged that clinical checks on 16 people, soil, water and plants in the area found no traces of cadmium, but they want checks every three or six months anyway.

Tak villagers near cadmium waste store to have role in remediation process | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world