Environment
Bắc Giang announces rearrangement of district, commune-level administrative units
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| Black smoke discharged from Vạn Lợi Co. Ltd. in the northern Bắc Ninh Province was causing severe air pollution. — Photo dantri.com.vn |
Viet Nam News
BẮC NINH — The People’s Committee of Bắc Ninh Province has slapped a fine of VNĐ736 million (US$32,450) on a local aluminium recycling company for violating environmental regulations and polluting Văn Môn Commune.
Vạn Lợi Co. Ltd. has been asked to stop all operations for six months to fix their violation.
Earlier, the local press had reported that many residents from Yên Phong District’s Văn Môn Commune were complaining that Vạn Lợi Co. Ltd. was releasing thick, black smoke with dust particles from its chimneys without treating it. Locals alleged that the air pollution was affecting their lives and that they were at a high risk of health problems.
Following this, the provincial People’s Committee asked the department of natural resources and environment to conduct inspections along with the local police and Yên Phong District’s People’s Committee.
Analysis of the smoke discharged from the factory’s three aluminium recycling kilns showed that the amount of smoke and dust being released was between 10,000 and 15,000 cubic metres per hour, which is 1.5 to three times higher than the permissible limit.
The committee has fined Vạn Lợi Co. Ltd. VNĐ506 million for this violation, as well as another VNĐ140 million for not operating its air waste treatment system regularly, and another VNĐ90 million for substandard toxic waste substance storage. — VNS
