INCINERATOR POISONS TOURIST PARADISE

21 January 2000

PHUKET, THAILAND -- The international environmental group Greenpeace today condemned the Phuket incinerator, describing it as a "toxic calamity in the making" following the group's release of a scientific report which reveals serious contamination in ash dumped beside the facility

To highlight the threats posed by the incinerator to the environment and local residents, Greenpeace activists posted warning signs around the plant and the adjacent ash pits.

"The results clearly demonstrate that incineration does not solve the garbage problem but in fact transforms it into a chemical menace which is much more difficult to deal with. Instead of giving Phuket a clean image, this incinerator is polluting an island paradise heavily dependent on tourism," said Greenpeace toxics campaigner Tara Buakamsri.

The scientific study showed elevated levels of toxic heavy metals like lead, cadmium and copper in the incinerator ash dumped in open pits close to mangrove areas. Lead and cadmium levels in the ash of the Phuket incinerator were found to be 30 to 100 times higher than background levels.

Sediment sampling in a creek located adjacent to the incinerator also showed slight elevation of lead which could be attributed to run-off from the contaminated ashes. The Greenpeace report warns that "over time, run-off or 'leachate' from the ashes stored on site might result in the release of substantial quantities of heavy metals to the surrounding environment."

"The health of scavengers, including children, rummaging through the hazardous ash for recyclables is at direct risk. In the longer-term there is a real danger of these poisons finding their way into the island's food chain. This is hardly sensible for a nation that takes great pride in its food," Buakamsri stated.

Lead and cadmium are known neurological toxins. Lead, even at low levels, is known to impact the intellectual and behavioural development of children while cadmium is a carcinogen.

For every three tons of garbage burned, a ton of toxic ash is generated. In industrialised countries, this ash is considered hazardous waste subject to strict containment and management procedures.

Incinerators release cancer-causing and toxic chemicals from their smoke stacks including heavy metals, dioxins, furans and acid gases. Incineration of municipal, hazardous and hospital waste is generally considered to be a major source of the ultra toxic dioxin emissions into the environment.

"We need real solutions, not illusions. The government should put resources instead into the right set of solutions to this problem namely, waste prevention, source separation, composting and recycling," said Buakamsri.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Auaiporn Suthanthonyakorn (mob)+66 (01) 8207006 or Tara Buakamsri (mob) +66 (01) 8550013.

The sampling report is available here: www.greenpeace.org/~toxics/reports/phuket.pdf
Photos and footage will be available from Greenpeace.
Photos from John Novis tel: +31 20 5249580

Follow Greenpeace's 'Toxic Free Asia Tour' on the web.