Due to the Department’s roles and functions, Department of Pollution Control (DPC), MNRE was the first governmental office invited to attend MOA/IWMI research result
dissemination meeting in October 2003. DPC staffs, then, initiated a plan to investigate the
extent and severity of cadmium contamination in Mae Sot. However, contradicted to the general practice, Department of Disease Control (DDC) was asked to join the effort at that early stage.
From January to April 2004, using GIS mapping based on cadmium concentration gradient in soil and rice provided by MOA/IWMI research team, DPC staffs collected
environmental samples from Mae Tao Creek, surface water, underground
water, well water and soil. Rice and fish were also sampled. Concurrently, MOPH staffs located the exposed population and biological samples were collected for cadmium measurements.