USAID introduced technology to clean Agent Orange
A seminar on use of In-Pile Thermal Desorption (IPTD) technology to clean up dioxin contamination at Da Nang Airport was held by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), in Hanoi on July 31.
Ralphs Baker, Director of Dioxin/Agent Orange (AO) treatment project at the airport affirmed that the advanced technology is considered the most suitable method for the site, given the local environmental impact and safety of those working on or near the site.
Representative of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence stressed the importance of overcoming AO consequences in the region and for both Governments to pursue efforts to overcome the aftermath of toxic substances left by the war in other hot spots around the country, such as Bien Hoa Airport in southern Dong Nai province and Phu Cat Airport in southern central Binh Dinh province.
Upon completion, the project will reclaim 29 hectares of clean land for economic and commercial purposes, eliminating the dioxin contamination risk in all the affected areas.
The project is being jointly carried out by the USAID and the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence.
The IPTD system has been applied in the US , EU and Asia to clean up contaminated sites and ensure a safe environment for millions of people.
The 43 million USD project is expected to launch late this summer and finish in 2015.
Landmine clearance at the Airport has already been completed as part of the cooperation project.-VNA
