Abstract
The Scoping of Health Impact Assessment of the Eastern Seaboard Development Program:A Case Study of Mab Ta Put Industrial Estates and their VicinitiesMr. Decharut SukkumnoedFaculty of Economics, Kasetsart University decharut@hsrint.hsri.or.th The Eastern Seaboard Development Program is the most obvious case showing “the Two Sides of the Coin” from Thai development experiences. On one hand, this development program is the most successful story of industrialization program in this country. On the other hand, it is also the most visible example of terrible environmental and health impacts in Thailand development experiences. The HIA from the Eastern Seaboard Development program aims to gain more experiences and knowledge on health impact assessment, as well as, to find the better ways in protecting and promoting local people’s health. The WHO’s health and environment cause-effect framework has been applied to this study. According to this model, the industrial development is the driving force causing hazardous chemical uses and pollution in this area. The increasing in chemical uses and pollution becomes the pressure for local environmental quality. The air pollution and related health impacts, chemical accident, illegal hazardous waste dumping and chemical contamination in water resources and food web have been the most serious environmental problems in this area. The three epidemiological studies during 1997 to 2000 show the association between the exposure to air pollution and acute health impacts, especially in respiratory and central nervous systems. The state of socio-economic factors and social supports in these local communities has also been degraded. The changes in economic, social, and demographic structure cause local people to live with higher uncertainty, both in economic and social senses. The rate of out-patient per population in mental disorders, in this area, has been significantly increased, from slightly lower than regional and national average in the past to almost three times higher than regional and national average at present. The situation has become more serious after Thailand economic crisis in 1997. The WHO’s health and environment cause-effect framework can be applied as a hypothetical model for assessing health impacts. To understand the complexity of health impacts, the combination and triangulation of qualitative and quantitative analyses are highly recommended. As a participatory learning process, it is also very important to ensure meaningful public participation within HIA process, specifically, by avoiding technical barriers.
