Locals in Tak have filed a petition with the Administrative Court against the relocation of cadmium in a move conducted by the Industry Ministry, with concerns over the safety of the storage depot and the possibility of contamination.
The petition was delivered as the second lot of the toxic tailings was being transported from a warehouse in Samut Sakhon to the lower northern province, beginning Monday. The unloading at the depot was finished yesterday afternoon.
Surot Promtab, a local of tambon Nong Bua Tai who lived 500 metres away from the depot, said the locals are concerned about the negative effects and health risks the tailings may cause, especially as they will be stored at a temporary venue.
According to a source at the Ministry of Industry, the second batch of cadmium tailings, weighing 221 tonnes, was loaded onto a convoy of trucks from the J&B Metal smelting factory in Samut Sakhon on Monday.
Aditat Waseenon, director of the Department of Primary Industries and Mines (DPIM), and Phutthikon Wichaidit, chief of the Samut Sakhon industry office, oversaw the operation.
Eight 13-metre container trailer trucks were used, each with the capacity to carry 18 big bags or no more than 30 tonnes.
The convoy arrived at the Bound and Beyond depot in Tak at 10am yesterday.
All 147 bags of cadmium tailings were offloaded by cranes to the storage site and were stacked in four layers and covered with canvas to prevent damage from any downpours.
The unloading process was conducted under strict protective measures, including the PPE protective suit requirement, to prevent the moving crew from being contaminated with carcinogenic substances, said the source.
Industry Minister Pimphattra Wichai- kul said rain was the main concern as it could ruin the transportation plan due to the risk of cadmium contamination in the water.
In related news, Ms Pimphattra said the ministry's National Environment Committee has ordered that the investigation into chemical warehouses at risk of fire be wrapped up within 20 days.
She was responding to questions about a series of fires reported over the past couple of weeks amid rumours of possible arson attacks.