Dioxin contamination treatment continues in Da Nang airport

PANO - Under the second stage and also the last stage of the thermal treatment in Da Nang airport starting on October 18 morning by Vietnam and the USA, about 45,000 cubic meters of dioxin-contaminated soil and mud will be treated, greatly benefiting local people, marking a significant development in the bilateral ties between the two countries.

Attending the ceremony were US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius, Deputy Defense Minister of Vietnam Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh, representatives from US and Vietnam Goverments, embassies of foreign countries in Vietnam, international organizations and press agencies.

Deputy Defense Minister of Vietnam Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh, US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius and other delegates inspecting the thermal treatment project in Da Nang

Addressing the ceremony, Gen. Vinh emphasized the importance of this stage as a confirmation of the tireless efforts of both countries’ relevant agencies in putting forward such a meaningful project to help detoxify the hot spot of dioxin in Da Nang airport in line with the direction and commitment between the two governments and to contribute to cleaning up local contaminated areas and reclaiming land for local socio-economic development.

The Vietnamese general also added that USAID and competent agencies under the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam together with other partners finished the study on dioxin-contaminated environment in Bien Hoa airport. The Ministries of Defense and Natural Resources and Environment reported the study’s results to the Government for consideration and further direction to clean up the contaminated environment.

The Vietnamese general asked the US ambassador to swiftly report the study’s results to the US Government so that the project in Bien Hoa airport will be carried out soon to minimize bad effects on local people and environment, contributing to local socio-economic development.

For his part, US Ambassador Ted Osius spoke highly of Vietnamese relevant agencies’ coordination in implementing the first phase of the dioxin cleaning up project in Da Nang airport, highlighting this as a landmark in the bilateral ties. He also recalled the visit of President Obama to Vietnam this May, during which the President committed that the US would make significant contribution to cleaning up dioxin in Bien Hoa airport.

The project in Da Nang airport, jointly carried out by USAID and the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam, aims to clean up an estimated 90,000 cubic meters of dioxin-contaminated soil and mud to meet the clean standard by the Vietnamese Government of 150 ppt. In May, both the Vietnamese and US Governments announced to have successfully treated around 45,000 cubic meters of dioxin-contaminated soil and mud. The treated soil was part of the expansion of Da Nang airport.

The second stage of the project is expected to be completed in mid-2017 but the reclaiming of the site will be finished in 2018.