The Nakhon Pathom provincial industrial works office has ordered the Indorama Polyester Industries plant in the Nakhon Chai Si district near Bangkok to close for 15 days beginning Thursday (Sep 22), pending an inspection to ensure there are no further chemical leaks into the environment.
According to reports, on Thursday, approximately 30 liters of heat transfer fluid known as biphenyl and diphenyl oxide leaked from a production unit in the plant, resulting in several schools in the districts of Nakhon Chai Si, Sam Phran, and Salaya being ordered to suspend classes for safety.
Following the incident, the Pollution Control Department officials advised nearby residents to don facemasks and remain inside their homes until further notice.
To prevent a recurrence of the incident, Sahawat Sobha, the deputy director of the Industrial Works Department, stated that the factory had been ordered to cease operations until a thorough inspection to determine the source of the chemical leak had been completed.
Meanwhile, Nakhon Pathom governor Surasak Charoensirichoke said there were also reports of chemical odor being detected in Taweewattana district, more than 10 kilometers from the factory. He added that a follow-up inspection of the air quality within a 17-kilometer radius of the factory found no traces of the leaked chemicals.
The management of Indorama Polyester Industries has since issued a public apology, explaining that the incident was unintentional and vowing to assist businesses and residents affected by the leak. (NNT)
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