Thailand: Water, air quality checks after fire erupted at oil depot in Nakhon Pathom

The quality of water in Khlong Om Yai canal is being carefully monitored after a fire at a depot storing lubricants and solvents in Sam Phran district of Nakhon Pathom province on Monday afternoon.

The fire started about 12.30 pm at the Prapakorn Oil Company depot, which stored about 100,000 liters of lubricants and solvents.

One employee was injured in the fire, which was brought under control at about 4 pm. The cause was being investigated.

Atthapol Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of Pollution Control, said a special environmental protection operation unit from the Nakhon Pathom-based Environment Office Region 5 had been sent to the area.

It would assess environmental pollution with particular attention to the water in Khlong Om Yai canal, which runs beside the depot.

Watergates on Khlong Om Yai and Khlong Om Noy canals had been shut to prevent water from flowing into the Tha Chin river, he said.

From initial checks, the quality of water in Khlong Om Yai canal near the fire-hit depot was at normal levels.

The air quality was also checked at three spots – two kilometers, one kilometer and 200 meters from the depot. Carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide and volatile organic compounds were found to be at normal levels, Mr Atthapol said.

Mr Atthapol said Prapakorn Oil Co and tambon Om Yai municipality had laid oil containment booms across Khlong Om Yai, about 300 meters from the depot.

Skimmers to remove oil floating on the water surface would be put into use on Tuesday afternoon.

The Department of Pollution Control would closely monitor the air and water quality in the area to prevent any impacts on people living and working there, he said.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES