The central provinces of Ha Tinh and Quang Tri are planning to destroy more than 80 tonnes of heavy metal-contaminated fish.

Ha Tinh Province is planning to burn nearly 12 tonnes of cadmium-contaminated fish harvested from the waters of Ha Tinh and Quang Binh, Phan Van Hung, manager of the province’s food hygiene and safety branch, said yesterday.

The fish are worth some VNĐ400 million (US$18,000) and will cost VNĐ50-60 million to destroy, Hùng said.

The fish are stored at four warehouse freezers in Ky Anh, Loc Ha and Cam Xuyen communes. They were sealed by the provincial authority at the beginning of last month after testing positive for heavy metal contamination.

Quang Tri Province’s natural resources department also plans to spend some VNĐ100 million to destroy nearly 70 tonnes of frozen seafood, of which 20 tonnes was phenol-contaminated following the environmental disaster caused by the Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corporation in late April.

The fish will be buried in pits. Lime powder and Chloramine B will be used to treat the waste during the process. 

Cadmium and phenol are chemical elements containing toxins that can damage humans’ livers and kidneys when consumed in large quantity. 

VNS