People are upset because they have to live with smoke and dust
Previously, people in Ha residential group, Hong An ward (Hai Phong city) were upset about the situation of smoke and dust flooding into residential areas, suspected to originate from a machine manufacturing enterprise in the industrial park.
Mr. Quang's family (56 years old, Ha residential group) is completing a new house to welcome Tet. In just a few days, the white paint layer has been covered with yellow-brown dust, trees in the garden, and furniture in the family are also in the same situation. Although his family cleans regularly, dust accumulates every 1-2 days. According to Mr. Quang, this situation is believed to originate from a machine manufacturing company, adjacent to the residential area.
In addition to the fine yellow-brown dust layer, households in Ha residential group also reflect on air pollution, a strong smell like paint that makes it difficult for many people to breathe, and poses a risk to health, especially for the elderly and children.
Authorities get involved
Information from the Hai Phong Economic Zone Management Board, the unit has just established an inspection team to inspect the compliance with environmental laws at Eba Machine Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Japan Industrial Park - Hai Phong) related to people's reflections in Hong An Ward about pollution from Eba Co., Ltd. The working group includes professional departments under the Economic Zone Management Board, Economic Police Department - Hai Phong Police, Hong An Ward People's Committee. The inspection team also organized environmental monitoring to determine the cause of dust spread. At the same time, taking samples for testing to determine the level of impact on people.
On the afternoon of February 4, in an exchange with Lao Dong Newspaper, a representative of Hong An Ward People's Committee said that Eba Mechanical Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has been operating in the area since 2016, the company has full environmental permits and related documents. After people's reflections, the government coordinated to inspect and verify. Initially determined, the cause was a technical incident at the ventilation pipe of sand spraying workshop No. 2 under Eba Mechanical Manufacturing Co., Ltd. causing part of the sand from the ventilation pipe to fly towards people's houses. Local authorities have requested the enterprise to temporarily suspend the operation of this workshop to fix the incident. Only when there is an environmental impact assessment is it allowed to resume operation.
Hong An People's Committee requested the enterprise to directly survey and zone off the impact of the incident. At the same time, working with related households. This afternoon (February 4), a delegation of officials from Hong An ward and the enterprise went to each household to work and inventory damage. Regarding people's recommendations on health checks to assess the extent of impact, the government also requested the enterprise to coordinate and organize health checks for households in the affected area.
After having the environmental impact assessment report of the Eba Co., Ltd. incident, the Hong An ward government will continue to coordinate with functional agencies to handle it according to legal regulations.
