This suspected toxic waste
turned out to be nothing more than a metallic compound used to sand boats.
Patcharapol Panrak
Tons of suspected toxic waste reported dumped behind
Sattahip’s 700 Rai Market turned out to be nothing more than a metallic
compound used to sand boats.
Chawat Thepthup and district waste officials inspected
the private house a half-kilometer from the market to find tons of the black
sand packaged in large bags waiting to be loaded on 10 trucks.
Homeowner Narisra Juajesai, 37, said he didn’t understand
what the fuss was over, saying the compound was called “Sambus” and had been
obtained from a friend who has a stone mill. Normally, he said, the powder
is either dumped in a landfill or recycled into metal bars, but can be used
to scrub rust off boat hulls and is not toxic.
District experts confirmed the owners story and departed.
