Burnt garbage dump site declared disaster area

BANGKOK, March 17 (TNA) - A large-scale garbage dump site in Bangkok's neighbouring Samut Prakan Province has been declared disaster area, after a fire broke out on Sunday, burning out all the area with billowing smoke affecting many neighbourhoods. Samut Prakan Governor Kanit Eiamrahong declared the area a disaster zone on Monday and called a meeting with all local agencies concerned to discuss a solution in all aspects, covering subsequent pollution, after more than 200 households were evacuated from the area, now plagued with carbon monoxide six times higher than the safety standard level. The fire broke out at the 100-rai garbage dump site (2.5 rai = 1 acre in the Praekasa locality of Samut Prakan's Muang District on Sunday and firefighters worked overnight to try to stop the spreading blaze, before putting it under control on Monday. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health has sent medical teams and occupational medicine specialists to affected zones to evaluate health impacts of the fire and smoke by measuring the levels of carbon dioxide, carbon moxide, sulphur dioxide and formaldedyde in the air. Permanent Secretary for Public Health Narong Sahamethaphat also ordered provincial public health officials to provide medical check-ups and distribute face masks to people in the affected zones, as well as to screen those in high-risk groups, including the elderly, young children, pregnant women and people with underlying diseases, for special care against air-borne diseases or illnesses.(TNA)