On Tuesday afternoon, a group from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) paid a visit to the Da Nang International Airport to check the implementation of the “Removal of Dioxin Contamination” project.  The visit was part of an international seminar in the city entitled “Sharing Experience on the Assessment and Removal of Dioxin Pollution and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Viet Nam”.

The project started in 2012, and is expected to be completed in 2016.  It comprises the detection and removal of bombs, the disposal of dioxin contaminated soil and sediment, the incineration of about 73,000m³ of contaminated soil, and environmental restoration.

The project manager, Mr Beau Sanders, said that all preparations are nearly complete, and the construction of water and air collection and treatment systems is on track.  The 1^st phase of the excavation of the contaminated soil has already been completed, and around 1,250 heat transfer machines have been installed.

The 1^st phase of the project, which focuses on incinerating 43,000m³ of contaminated soil, is scheduled to be completed in 2014.  The excavation of contaminated soil and sediment, and the installation of treatment systems for the 2^nd phase of the project, will be implemented during 2015.   The final phase to treat about 30,000m³ of contaminated soil is planned to be completed in 2016.