Abstract
Mae Moh Power Plant is the biggest coal-fired power plant in Thailand. Each year the power plant utilizes over 17 million tons of lignite coal from Mae Moh mine, an open-case mining located in the same area. Both the power plant and coal mine produce pollutants that can affect the environment and human health. However, at present, there is no surveillance system to monitor health effects, especially long-term effects, of people living nearby the power plant. This study aimed to review health impacts among people living nearby Mae Moh power plant, current surveillance system, and to suggest an appropriated health surveillance system. Information was gathered from a literature review, interviewing, and meeting with experts, related persons, and representatives from people living nearby Mae Moh power plant. Data were analyzed by content analysis.
From literature review, it was found that health impacts of coal mining and power plant were 1) increase prevalence of respiratory system diseases, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma 2) reduce pulmonary function 3) hearing loss 4) dermatitis, urticaria, and itchy rash 5) increase risk to get an accident 6) effect to child development 7) annoy due to odor and vibration. The result also found that there was no surveillance system for monitoring health effects of people living nearby Mae-Mao power plant. The current surveillance system was Ministry of Public Health’ surveillance system which showed size of problem and distribution of diseases. It could not provide details on risk exposure and cause of diseases.
It was found that the health indicators that should be monitored were: 1) emergency room visits, 2) hospital visit and service requested, 3) mortality monitoring, 4) pulmonary function of school children, 5) lung function of adults with respiratory problems, 6) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cases, 7) pneumoconiosis among coal worker, and 8) stress and annoy due to environmental problems.
To implement this program, environmental law should be revised and the requirements for conducting health risk assessment added, in addition a health monitoring system should be set up. The regulatory system should also include grant and operation team to support the surveillance system. The system should be operated by a committee consisted of all involved stakeholders, including Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)(Mae Moh), representatives from people living nearby Mae Moh power plant, staff from the government office and non-governmental organization, and specialists from an education institutions.
