Vedan pollution double findings

Hanoi (VNA) - Monosodium glutamate (MSG) producer Vedan dumped nearly 110,000 cu.m of post-fermentation molasses residue and solid waste every month into the Thi Vai River - 2.5 times higher than earlier findings, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment announced on Sept. 29.

An earlier investigation by the ministry and the Environment Police
Department said the company had discharged 45,000 cu.m of
post-fermentation molasses waste into the river. However, after discovering
that the firm had built a submerged pipeline to discharge effluent into the
river the estimate was markedly raised, said Luong Duy Hanh, from the
Ministry's Environmental Protection Department.

In addition, more than 800 cu.m of waste mud was discharged into the Thi
Vai River daily, said Hanh.

To avoid detection, the company stored the post- fermentation molasses
waste from monosodium glutamate and lysine factories into a 7,000 cu.m
container unit. A second container of 15,000 cu.m and some other smaller
containers of 1,500 cu.m were also buried. The containers were connected by
a system of pipelines and the waste pumped into the middle of the river some
eight metres below the surface, said Hanh.

Nguyen Son Tu, who works for Vedan, said the waste was pumped into river
for 12 hours each day.

Ministry officials said water quality tests found that pigment levels in
the Thi Vai River were 3,675 times higher than permitted levels,
while COD levels were 2,957 times, BOD5 levels 1,057 times higher, and TSS
and ammonia more than 100 times higher.

After the Ministry's first investigation, Vedan would have to pay the cost
of restoring the River, which is now devoid of life, and compensate those
whose health had been damaged as a result of their illegal activities. The
company has also been ordered to pay earlier environmental fees totalling
5.74 million USD, which they had avoided for years.

Tran Hong Ha, the deputy minister of Natural Resources and Environment
said the official decision on punishments would be made public this
week.-Enditem
An earlier investigation by the ministry and the Environment Police
Department said the company had discharged 45,000 cu.m of
post-fermentation molasses waste into the river. However, after discovering
that the firm had built a submerged pipeline to discharge effluent into the
river the estimate was markedly raised, said Luong Duy Hanh, from the
Ministry's Environmental Protection Department.

In addition, more than 800 cu.m of waste mud was discharged into the Thi
Vai River daily, said Hanh.

To avoid detection, the company stored the post- fermentation molasses
waste from monosodium glutamate and lysine factories into a 7,000 cu.m
container unit. A second container of 15,000 cu.m and some other smaller
containers of 1,500 cu.m were also buried. The containers were connected by
a system of pipelines and the waste pumped into the middle of the river some
eight metres below the surface, said Hanh.

Nguyen Son Tu, who works for Vedan, said the waste was pumped into river
for 12 hours each day.

Ministry officials said water quality tests found that pigment levels in
the Thi Vai River were 3,675 times higher than permitted levels,
while COD levels were 2,957 times, BOD5 levels 1,057 times higher, and TSS
and ammonia more than 100 times higher.

After the Ministry's first investigation, Vedan would have to pay the cost
of restoring the River, which is now devoid of life, and compensate those
whose health had been damaged as a result of their illegal activities. The
company has also been ordered to pay earlier environmental fees totalling
5.74 million USD, which they had avoided for years.
Tran Hong Ha, the deputy minister of Natural Resources and
Environment said the official decision on punishments would be made public
this week.-Enditem