BANGKOK, Jan 3 (TNA) – The Ministry of Public Health has
revealed a new mobile application to collect and distribute information of
three hazardous farming chemicals – paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos.
The ministry on Friday signed an agreement with a private company
to develop the new application expected to be available next week.
Dr Suwanchai Watanayingcharoen, Director-General of the
Department of Disease Control, said the application was able to collect inputs
from users for health officials in their respective areas.
The information system would create useful database in order
to conduct effective health surveillance for the people, he said.
After a lengthy debate over the danger of the three toxic
chemicals in Thailand, the attempt to impose total ban on them has not
succeeded.
Advocates of the ban face opposition from other groups that
claim the three agri-chemical products are irreplaceable; a ban would mean big
burden to farmers.
The National Hazardous Substance Committee in December
overturned its decision to ban the three chemicals.
Health and consumer rights have claimed that the chemicals
have caused serious health problems. The
have filed a class-action suit in order to allow other victims to seek
compensation.(TNA)
