Central Vietnam Reviews Dioxin Remediation Using Microbial Technology

The Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE), South Korea’s BJC Company, and authorities in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on November 13 held a workshop to look into the outcomes of the trial remediation of dioxin using microbial technology at A Sho airfield in A Luoi district. Experts from the VACNE and BJC shared the view that the trial remediation was carried out in line with the process, met technical standards for biological treatment and local conditions, adding that biotechnology is relatively simple technology with low cost, high feasibility and considerable effects in dioxin-contaminated land. The VACNE and Korean partners like BJC, KIT, and KIOST have assisted A Luoi district to pilot remediating dioxin-polluted land of A Sho airfield over the past years. Preliminary statistics showed that 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange/dioxin, and about three million people became victims. Tens of thousands of people have died while millions of others have suffered from cancer and other incurable diseases as a result. (VietnamPlus Nov 14)