ABSTRACT
This review of legislation, obstacles faced, and challenges to be met, outlines present tobacco control lessons learnt in Thailand. A review of over twenty years of tobacco control experience in Thailand is provided in seven areas including policy formulation and the role of civil society, as well as in essential WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control areas. A descriptive, historical review shows how stakeholders, policies and resources were mobilized in Thailand, and what lessons resource-challenged countries might use from the Thai experience.
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to investigate the efficiency of Fenton's reagent (hydrogen peroxide + Ferrousion (Fe+2)) in removing the color and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) of a reactive dye wastewater. The textile dyeing wastewater was treated in a continuous reactor. The results showed that the best pH value for Fenton's treatment process was 4 and the optimal contact time for slow mixing was 20 minutes. The average percent color and COD removal efficiency was about 90% and 65%, respectively. Characteristics of wastewater such as contamination with oil makes decolorization, the removal of red color, difficult.
ABSTRACT
Bacterial indicator standards for water pollution have been used in every country to safeguard public health from the effects of contaminated water. The current criterion for indexing water pollution in Thailand is the total coliform limit of 1000 MPN/100ml. This study was undertaken to evaluate the degree of pollution of bathing seawater at beaches based on bacterial standards used in several countries as well as the opinion of beach users. Analysis of bacterial indicators for pollution of recreational seawater included total and fecal coliforms, E.coli, enterococci, and staphylococci. Water samples were taken from the most crowded swimming areas at Bangsaen, Jomtien, and Pattaya during the time of peak bathing load, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Interviews of 654 beach users were conducted on the same days as water sampling. The assessment of beach water quality using five indicator organisms showed that staphylococci exceeded the recommended guideline at all 3 sites. In contrast, total coliform and E.coli were within the standard at all 3 beaches. These findings demonstrate that these two organisms alone are not sufficient as indicators of recreational water pollution. At all 3 beaches, opinions of beach users on aesthetic quality of the beach mostly indicated satisfaction, except for the cleanliness of beach food establishments. At Bangsaen beach, 17.1 % of those who did not bathe viewed water quality as unaesthetic; whereas the view of Pattaya coastal water was positive.
ABSTRACT
Health effects of SO2 and PM10 from lignite coal burning for tobacco curing in areas of Northern Thailand is a cause of concern. A study to assess these pollutants and health impacts on villagers was undertaken. Village with/without lignite use as fuel for tobacco curing (study/control areas) were studied for air quality and health symptoms including pulmonary function test. The study was carried out prior to and during tobacco curing period. The levels of SO2 and PM10 did not exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in both study and control areas. However, SO2 levels n the study area were about 10 times higher during the tobacco-curing period than prior to the period. Acute eye irritation and major airway obstruction (decline in FEV1 and PEFR) was found during the curing period. Cigarette smoking was significantly associated with upper respiratory infections including coughing, phlegm, runny and stuffed nose. Moreover, wood/charcoal cooking fuel use was also significantly associated with lower respiratory infections (wheezing or dyspnea).