Environmental Assessment at Bien Hoa Airbase

Client

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Location

Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Project Duration

January 2014 – July 2016

Background

High dioxin concentrations at the Bien Hoa Airbase – a legacy from the United States/Viet Nam War – prompted an environmental assessment to support remediation. The environmental assessment addressed significant potential adverse health-related effects, as well as environmental and social issues associated with implementing remediation activities on dioxin-contaminated soil and sediment. The assessment included characterization of dioxin contamination and the need for mitigation, monitoring, and containment measures, with the end goal of enhancing the usability of the Bien Hoa Airbase, including potential future commercial development.

Services Provided

Hatfield worked with CDM International to complete the environmental assessment for USAID and the Government of Viet Nam. Activities included: soil and sediment sampling, fish tissue sampling, and human blood and breast milk sampling to delineate the vertical and lateral extent of dioxin contamination, determine the nature of non-dioxin contamination in areas of dioxin influence, identify lakes requiring remediation, and determine the amount of soil, sediment, and groundwater requiring remediation. A web-based Geographic Information System was created to assist with the environmental assessment process and provide access to spatial data for remediation planning.