Around the issue of businesses emitting smoke near schools

In recent days, some parents and local residents have been concerned about the emissions (smoke) of Thagaco International Investment Joint Stock Company (abbreviated as Thagaco Company) when the smoke column of the enterprise was built near Ban Ngoai Kindergarten (Dai Tu). However, according to the authorities and representatives of the enterprise, the emissions are mainly water vapor, and the components in the emissions are still within the permitted limits.

The boiler smoke column of Thagaco Company is located about 60m from the fence of Ban Ngoai Kindergarten.

Mr. Vu Van H. - whose child attends Ban Ngoai Kindergarten, reflects: Every morning, when I take my child to school, I see a lot of smoke coming from the Thagaco Company's boiler. Meanwhile, the smoke column is very close to the school, so I am worried about the air pollution, affecting the health of the children. Not only me but many other parents are also worried about dust pollution. The children are still young, their resistance is not high, so they need fresh air.

According to Mr. Tran Quang Vinh, Head of Khau Giang Hamlet, Ban Ngoai Commune: In 2021, Thagaco Company built a boiler and discharged smoke through the chimney. After that, some people living near the business's operating area also reported that whenever there was a lot of smoke, there was a burning smell. The most worrying thing was the risk of affecting children studying at the commune's kindergarten. I also proposed this content in the meetings with voters of the district and provincial People's Council delegates.

Speaking with us, teacher Nguyen Thi Hoai An, Principal of Ban Ngoai Kindergarten, said: At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, the school received feedback from some parents concerned about the smoke discharge of Thagaco Company, we arranged to stretch nets to block the dust. At the same time, we increased our understanding of whether the smoke was entering the school yard or classrooms. Currently, we have not detected any abnormalities in the air environment in the school area.

Smoke column of boiler of Thagaco International Investment Joint Stock Company.

Smoke column of Thagaco Company's boiler.

Thagaco Company, located in Ban Ngoai Commune, specializes in the garment industry, with a scale of more than 2,000 workers. According to our records, the Company's boiler smoke column is currently about 25m high, about 60m from the fence of Ban Ngoai Kindergarten, the amount of smoke released into the environment is not much.

Regarding this issue, Mr. Chu Quang Hung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ban Ngoai Commune, informed: Upon receiving feedback from the people about the smoke discharge situation of Thagaco Company, the local government reported to the District People's Committee. The district has coordinated with the local government to conduct a site inspection at the Company. Accordingly, the procedures for legal investment documents and environmental impact reports of this unit are complete. The district's functional agencies have also taken samples to monitor and evaluate the air quality and wastewater of the smoke discharge area. The results show that the components in the smoke all meet the permitted standards.

According to Mr. Vu Manh Cuong, Deputy Director of Thagaco Company: The company's boiler and smoke column system was built, installed and put into operation in 2021, with the purpose of generating heat to make garment products. Part of the heat is used for the company's kitchen to cook for workers. This boiler system is imported with European technology, with a water-based smoke suppression system. Every year, the unit also organizes wastewater and exhaust gas monitoring twice. The monitoring results show that the components in the smoke before being discharged into the environment all meet the standards. If there are hazardous substances, the company cannot use it for cooking in the kitchen. Along with that, in response to the concerns of local people, the unit also proactively designed a dust-proof net in the area adjacent to the fence of Ban Ngoai Kindergarten.

The results of air monitoring at 2 smoke columns of Thagaco Company conducted by the Environmental Analysis Laboratory (Technical, Natural Resources and Environment Company Limited) on September 30, 2022 showed that:

- Synthetic dust at 35.5mg/Nm3 (smoke column 1) and 33.0mg/Nm3 (smoke column 2) - compared to QCVN19 of 2,400mg/Nm3.

- CO at 45.6mg/Nm3 (smoke column 1) and 19.8mg/Nm3 (smoke column 2), compared to QCVN19 of 1,200mg/Nm3.

- NO2 is 132mg/Nm3 (smoke column 1) and 141.5 mg/Nm3 (smoke column 2), compared to QCVN19 of 1,020 mg/Nm3.

- SO2 is 2.62mg/Nm3 (smoke column 1) and 3.67mg/Nm3 (smoke column 2), compared to QCVN of 600 mg/Nm3.

Thus, it can be seen that the legal procedures and the index of substances in the air environment at the two smoke columns of Thagaco Company's boilers are guaranteed. However, due to the smoke discharge activities being close to the school, the unit needs to pay attention and promptly grasp the operation of the boiler to prevent incidents. And after each time of taking samples for monitoring, the enterprise needs to publicize the results so that people can feel secure.

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