| Project:` | Environmental Remediation of Dioxin Contaminated Hotspots in Vietnam |
| Work item: | Demonstration of Mechano-Chemical Destruction (MCD™) technology |
| Location: | Bien Hoa Military Airbase, Dong Nai Province |
| Implementing Partner: | Office of National Steering Committee 33 (Office 33) Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) |
| Funding Agency: | United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Vietnam |
| Implementing duration: | From 2011 to 11/2012 |
Project Summary
Bien Hoa military airbase was known to be one of the strategic locations in the Ranch Hand Operation in Vietnam. Previous studies showed that the dioxin contamination in Bien Hoa was very high. The high population density in Bien Hoa City was considered to be one of the highest risk area where the human health could be affected by dioxin. During the military operation, the airbase stored and utilized 98,000 barrels of Agent Orange, 45,000 barrels of Agent White, and 16,000 barrels of Agent Blue (US Department of Defense, 2007). More than 11,000 barrels of herbicides were shipped out of Bien Hoa Airbase during Pacer Ivy Operation in 1970. The previous studies focused on evaluating and eliminating dioxin contamination in area and lakes (Bien Hung, Airbase Lakes) located in the south of Bien Hoa Airbase. Vietnam – Russia Tropical Center analyzed some soil and sediment samples in Bien Hoa. Hatfeld Consultant and 10-80 Committee (2007) has provided information on dioxin contamination in the vicinity of Bien Hoa Airbase.
In the project “Environmental Remediation of Dioxin contaminated hotspots in Vietnam”, there was a component that was designed to demonstrate and evaluate a dioxin remediation technology that could be applied to Vietnam. After review technologies available in the world, the project selected Mechano-Chemical Destruction (MCD™) technology developed and owned by EDL, New Zealand. The demonstration was performed in Bien Hoa airbase in 2011.
Within this MCD technology demonstration scope of work, Tri Viet in collaboration with its partner provided all local support to EDL Company including: selection of the installation location for MCD system, construction of power supply system, improvement of water supply system, excavation of over 100m3 of contaminated soil and put in super sacks, provide engineers to work with EDL experts during demonstration.
The MCD™ Technology demonstration competed in November 2012 and the final report was presented in an evaluation workshop in January 2013.
