Urgent call to monitor water quality of Thanlwin River
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Htet Nadi/Thet Paing (NP News)-Nov 10
Environmental activists told The Statesman that the water quality of the Thanlwin (Salween) River, one of Myanmar's most important rivers, needs to be measured urgently.
Thai authorities have banned the consumption of Thanlwin River water and fish from the river after tests conducted by Chiang Mai University's Environmental Science Research Institute found dangerous levels of arsenic in the water near Mae Sariang in Mae Hong Son Province, according to Thai news reports.
Therefore, environmental experts point out that Myanmar should immediately conduct an inspection of the water quality of the Thanlwin River.
A water pollution monitoring expert said that “This is a public health issue, not just for Myanmar but also affecting people in other countries. The locations where samples are taken are very important. Some are tested within a day in laboratories, so these procedures need careful attention. It is essential to accurately inform the public about what is in the river water and in what quantities. Otherwise, it poses a serious risk to the communities dependent on the river. Immediate action is needed.”
An environmental activist said that Thailand's warning about high arsenic levels in the Thanlwin River could be true and that the river's water quality should be tested soon, as mining, rare earth excavation and deforestation are already taking place in areas where the Thanlwin River flows, and have increased this year.
He said that “If you look along the river, in Shan State they are mining gold and extracting rare earth minerals, and forests are being cleared. In Kayah State, people are mining various minerals. In Mon State, the natural forests are disappearing. Among all these regions, Shan State is the worst. They are destroying mountains to extract gold and rare earths. The arsenic in those mountains washes into the lower parts of the river when it rains. This contamination flows downstream, and we can’t see it. Therefore, it’s important to quickly measure and monitor all the arsenic levels to manage the situation properly.”
The Thanlwin River is the second largest river in Myanmar after the Ayeyarwady River. Although it originates in China, it flows through Shan, Kayah, Kayin, and Mon states in Myanmar and is an important river for the agriculture, livestock, and economy of the local people along the river.
Experts point out that if the water in the Thanlwin River is currently measured, it may contain high levels of arsenic and mercury due to gold mining, mineral extraction, and rare earth mining. Depending on the level of arsenic, this could have serious consequences for aquatic life in the river as well as for all those who use the river water.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in soil, water, and some foods. Arsenic poisoning can cause serious chronic diseases and cancer and it may not be immediately noticeable, but can become life-threatening over time.
In addition to drinking water containing high levels of arsenic, arsenic poisoning can also occur by consuming fruits grown using this water, with children generally at higher risk of poisoning.