Around 250,000 cu.m of soil in Bien Hoa City, the southern province of Dong Nai, are contaminated with dioxin at levels ranging from 1,000 ppt to as high as more than 1 million ppt, it was reported at a workshop in Dong Nai on October 31.
The director of the national project on overcoming consequences of toxic chemicals used by the US army during the war in Vietnam, Le Ke Son said at least US$250 million and five years will be needed to treat all the contaminated soil.
According to Son, this is the conclusion of a survey conducted by the National Steering Committee for overcoming consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin (or Committee 33 in short) in coordination with relevant ministries and agencies. The survey examined dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa Airport, a major military airbase of the US army during the war, and surrounding areas.
UNDP Deputy Country Director Bakhodir Burkhanov said since 2009, the UNDP has assisted the Vietnamese government in dealing with dioxin contamination at hotspots in the country.
Over the past five years, with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UNDP and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) have mapped dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa Airbase to give a better understanding of its scope, level and the unique features of the contamination. Through this project, interim measuring facilities have been set up to prevent dioxin from being released to outside the airbase.
The UNDP official affirmed that dioxin contamination is the cause of many health problems, and it is important that local residents are aware of the risks that dioxin poses to their health and livelihood.
A representative from the Defence Ministry reported that the ministry has completed the containment of nearly 100,000 cubic meters of dioxin contaminated soil on 4.3 ha of land in the airport at the cost of around VND73 billion. The containment method was also used in dealing with 7,500 cubic metres of dioxin contaminated soil in Phu CatAirport in the central province of Binh Dinh.
According to Son, this is the conclusion of a survey conducted by the National Steering Committee for overcoming consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin (or Committee 33 in short) in coordination with relevant ministries and agencies. The survey examined dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa Airport, a major military airbase of the US army during the war, and surrounding areas.
UNDP Deputy Country Director Bakhodir Burkhanov said since 2009, the UNDP has assisted the Vietnamese government in dealing with dioxin contamination at hotspots in the country.
Over the past five years, with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UNDP and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) have mapped dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa Airbase to give a better understanding of its scope, level and the unique features of the contamination. Through this project, interim measuring facilities have been set up to prevent dioxin from being released to outside the airbase.
The UNDP official affirmed that dioxin contamination is the cause of many health problems, and it is important that local residents are aware of the risks that dioxin poses to their health and livelihood.
A representative from the Defence Ministry reported that the ministry has completed the containment of nearly 100,000 cubic meters of dioxin contaminated soil on 4.3 ha of land in the airport at the cost of around VND73 billion. The containment method was also used in dealing with 7,500 cubic metres of dioxin contaminated soil in Phu CatAirport in the central province of Binh Dinh.
Other News
- PM calls for tighter controls on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products
- EU helps Vietnam cut plastic litter in oceans
- Vietnam needs urgent regulatory framework to control e-cigarettes: Officials
- Hanoi's largest incinerator to process one million tons of waste this year
- Jan-April job growth impressive in Hanoi
- Supermarkets in Hanoi offer promotions during national holidays
- Passengers crowd bus stations in Hanoi to move away for holidays
- Hanoi takes drastic action against environmental violations
- Voluntary social security should cover larger part of informal sector: Experts
- Excellent quality goods aim further than domestic market
Trending
-
Hanoi-Beijing cooperation – example of bilateral relations
-
Vietnam news in brief - May 17
-
Russia fully supports Vietnam's entry into BRICS: Ambassador
-
Hanoi's 70th liberation anniversary literary and art contest launched
-
Japanese duo of illusionists to wow audiences in Vietnam
-
Walking tour to experience public arts in the heart of Hanoi
-
Propaganda poster contests launched for Hanoi’s 70th liberation anniversary
-
Bas-reliefs on Hue's nine dynastic urns listed as UNESCO heritage
-
Hanoi's oldest book street preserving the city's reading culture