VietNamNet Bridge – More than 843 tonnes of untreated toxic waste illegally dumped by Nicotex Thanh Thai Company in central Thanh Hoa Province's Cam Van commune have been excavated.

Oil drums containing expired insecticide found in central Thanh Hoa Province.

Expired chemicals and pesticides, including highly toxic Cyper-methrin, were discovered in quantities up to 9,000 times the legal limit.

The excavation, conducted by the Viet Nam Environmental Resources Technology Investment Joint Stock Company (DTM), began on October 11 and is expected to last through next Sunday. Thanh Thai Company was required to pay all excavation and treatment fees.

DTM's director Le Anh Tung said the excavation activities were carried out very carefully and DTM had to use four large fans to reduce the odour as well as the risk for workers and supervisors. The excavated waste was classified and carefully packed by the excavation team to be removed for treatment.

The company received a fine of over VND421 million (US$20,000) for dumping the untreated toxic waste.

The case came to light in mid-August after local residents in the commune complained to local authorities that the company was dumping untreated chemicals.

Local people have filed a petition to sue the company, as the chemicals are known to cause severe pollution and environmental damage and are seriously harmful to human health.

Source: VNS