Ash and slag waste from thermal power plants in Quang Ninh Province is contaminating the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay.

The waste dumping site of Cam Pha Thermal Power Plant

Even though ash and slag waste from coal thermal power plants in several countries can be recycled, many plants in Quang Ninh Province are struggling to store and dispose of the waste. Smoke and dust from the plants are worsening the problem.

Le Thi Huong from Cam Thinh Ward, Cam Pha City said she had to constantly clean her convenient store or else the goods would be covered in dust and ash from Cam Pha Thermal Power Plant. "We could use rainwater to cook and my brother used to fish in this area but the fish are all dead now. And when storms are forecasted, dust will be discharged at night," she said.

According to the laws, all economic activities that pollute heritage sites must be relocated. However, the waste dumping site is some hundreds of metres away from the residential area and adjacent to the Bai Tu Long Bay.    

Moreover, the dumping site is being overloaded. The highest dumping location is three metres higher than the sea embankment.

Nguyen Dinh Tuan, deputy director of Cam Pha Thermal Power Plant, said they had carried out measures to protect the environment in accordance with the regulations like how to level the ground, how to water and compact the soil so that the dust won't be blown away.

He said, "We're going to build another dumping site in Mong Duong Ward and are waiting for approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment."

Pham Van Cuong, deputy director of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said there was no technical standards and guidance from the central agencies about recycling waste and its use by the construction industry.

Dtinews