Many important stages of the project to remove dioxin contamination at Da Nang International Airport have now been completed.  Construction of a 12,800 kV transformer station and a heat absorption and removal system is finished, and about 45,000m³ of contaminated soil and sediment have been excavated.  The installation of water and air collection and treatment systems is on track.

The next phase of the project, the incineration of the excavated soil and sediment, is scheduled to start in April.  Later this year, more contaminated soil and sediment will be treated during the 2^nd phase of the project, and a final phase to treat the last 30,000m³ will begin in either late 2015 or early 2016. 

Treating contaminationed soil and sediment at the Da Nang International Airport

This information was released at a public meeting held in Da Nang on Tuesday to report the project’s progress to local residents.  The event was co-organised by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Viet Nam, the Vietnamese Air Defence and Air Force, and the municipal People’s Committee.

A representative from USAID said that the excavated contaminated soil and sediment will be burned at a temperature of 335⁰C for 21 continuous days.  According to the results of the agency’s test sampling at the airport, over 99% of the dioxin-contaminated soil and sediment will be totally decontaminated by the incineration process.  He also pledged that, after the incineration stage, USAID will continue their monitoring and they will re-treat any soil which has not been burnt completely until it is safe.