The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment announces the results of environmental testing at Long Thanh airport

DNHN - The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's inspection team demanded that the Airports Corporation of Vietnam strictly adhere to environmental protection regulations

According to locals, the dust has been present at the construction site since March 2022, when leveling began, but in the last two months, the dust has been dense and frequent.

Authorities observed red dust emanating from excavation and transportation activities at the project construction site and nearby homes during the construction site.

Several dozens of kilometers away, Ho Chi Minh City is also impacted by the red dust from the Long Thanh Airport construction project. This is because, at this time, the horizontal wind blows dust from Dong Nai to the surrounding areas at a low altitude.

In addition, due to dry air and sporadic high-altitude winds, dust is easily dispersed over a wide area. Within 10 to 20 kilometers of the Long Thanh district, the dust level is high, whereas the dust in Ho Chi Minh City is far away.

Mr. Vo Tan Duc, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee, stated that the construction unit has not yet found a solution for the airport project's construction on thousands of hectares.

The wind and tornado dragged red dust from the construction site for tens of kilometers, spreading it to both Nhon Trach district and Bien Hoa city. The province has also requested that ACV come up with solutions and wait for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to conclude according to its authority.

Assoc. When dust is inhaled, the lungs and bronchial purification system are eliminated.

However, daily exposure will have a significant impact on health. Specifically, red dust causes damage to the respiratory tract lining and, if not eliminated, leads to pneumonia, a lung infection that can result in pulmonary fibrosis.

According to Doctor Ngoc, the immediate preventative measure for people living near Long Thanh Airport is to wear masks to prevent red dust from entering the respiratory system. Because these dust particles are relatively large, people should use curtains, close the door, and hoover to reduce the amount of dust indoors.

"The most important thing in the long term is to eliminate the cause of dust to the environment," said Dr. Ngoc. "The airport construction side must implement measures to reduce the amount of dust released into the environment."

In March 2023, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment issued a decision to inspect the Long Thanh airport project in Binh Son commune, Long Thanh district, Dong Nai province for compliance with the law on environmental protection for ACVs. Deer. The inspection team of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment then coordinated with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Dong Nai province and the functional branches of Dong Nai to inspect the project's compliance with the law on environmental protection. Long Thanh Airport construction.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's Decision on inspecting the Airports Corporation of Vietnam's compliance with environmental protection law (the investor of the Long An International Airport construction project). In phase 1), the inspection period is fifteen days from the start of testing (excluding the time for analyzing environmental samples). Department of Environment, Inspector, Department of Environmental Pollution Control, Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Dong Nai Province, Environmental Crime Prevention and Control Department (Dong Nai Provincial Police), and Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Long Thanh District make up the inspection team.

Using actual test results, environmental sample analysis results, and pertinent documents and records, the inspection team drafted a notice of inspection conclusions and met with ACV on the 5th. /4.

The inspection team of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is expected to conclude by mid-April that ACVs at Long Thanh Airport comply with the law on environmental protection.

According to the inspection team, the radius affected by red dust from the Long Thanh airport construction site is approximately 10 kilometers; eight communes and towns, including Binh Son, Cam Duong, Loc An, Bau Can, Long Phuoc, Tan Hiep, An Phuoc, and Long Thanh town, are affected by red dust.

According to the approved environmental impact assessment report, the dust is caused by infrequent and insufficient watering of AVC in the affected areas.

During the construction process, ACV carried out leveling on more than 2,500 hectares of land, removing the top layer of organic soil to expose the bare land beneath. Numerous vehicles, continuous operation, and rapid movement speed.

In addition, due to adverse weather conditions, this dry season frequently produces tornadoes, which spread a great deal of dust.

The inspection team requested that ACV water more frequently and install speed limit signs (5 km/h) on internal roads; strictly control the situation in which the truck transporting soil is not covered with tarps and shields.

Existing lakes in the project area are about to dry up; coordinate with functional agencies to capture people's feedback on the situation of dust dispersion; and announce the plan and time to accelerate the construction progress of Long Thanh airport for people to understand and share.

Hong Tham