The Quảng Đông Commune People’s Committee has successfully removed more than 100cu.m of soil and water contaminated with sodium hydroxide from the 19/5 Village.

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Contaminated soil, water removed from residential area

January 05, 2018 - 18:00

The Quảng Đông Commune People’s Committee has successfully removed more than 100cu.m of soil and water contaminated with sodium hydroxide from the 19/5 Village.

Several chemical wells were found in a 1,000sq.m store in the 19/5 Village, central province of Quảng Bình’s Quảng Đông Commune. The chemicals spread to local environment causing polution. – Photo dantri.com.vn
Viet Nam News

QUẢNG BÌNH — Authority in the central province of Quảng Bình’s Quảng Đông Commune has removed more than 100cu.m of soil and water contaminated with sodium hydroxide from the 19/5 Village.

The information was released on Friday by Nguyễn Đức Hiền, chairman of the commune’s People’s Committee.

The removal was conducted within two days in the presence of residents and under supervision of the commune authority.

The contaminated land and soil was treated as per regulations.

Following Typhoon Doksuri, the 10th typhoon of 2017, which hit the province at the end of September last year, several chemical wells were affected in a 1,000sq.m store in the village.

The typhoon destroyed the store’s roof and the chemicals from the store spread to the environment, burning grass in the surrounding area, leading to a foul-smelling out door.

Inspection by the commune authorities revealed that the store contained different bags with the labels “Caustic Soda Flakes” and “Made in China”. There was a pile of solid slimy substance in a corner of the store.

Since residents were concerned, local authorities undertook timely treatment to ensure safety for the residents.

Sodium hydroxide is a highly caustic base and alkali, which decomposes proteins at ordinary ambient temperature and may cause severe chemical burns. Sodium hydroxide is used in many industries in the manufacture of pulp and paper, textiles, drinking water, soaps and detergents, and as a drain cleaner. — VNS 

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