Prachinburi:Environmental concerns have been raised in Prachinburi as dangerous levels of aluminum have been detected in the local river waters, prompting advisories against consuming fish from these areas.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Sonthi Kochawat, an environmental expert from the Thai Environmental Academics Club, has expressed concerns on social media regarding the safety of consuming fish from the Prachinburi River. This follows a planned event aimed at encouraging fish consumption to boost public confidence after reports of heavy metal contamination.
The Pollution Control Department has reported alarmingly high aluminum concentrations of 3.547 milligrams per liter near the Pak Nam Ban Nong Hoi bridge in Bo Thong Subdistrict, and 0.874 milligrams per liter at the upstream Prachin River bridge in Kabin Subdistrict. These levels far exceed the World Health Organization's recommended limit of 0.1-0.2 milligrams per liter for aluminum in surface water, with levels over 0.8-3.5 mg/L deemed severely dangerous.
In response to these findings, Sonthi Kochawat advises against consuming fish from the contaminated areas, particularly highlighting the accumulation of aluminum in parts such as the heads, gills, skin, liver, and eggs of fish. He suggests sourcing fish from the Phra Prong River and fish farms near Kabin Buri district, ensuring they are cooked thoroughly before consumption.