Japanese technology used to decontaminate radioactive soil at the Fukushima Daiichi site could possibly help rid Vietnam of traces of Agent Orange, noxious contaminants used by the United States for chemical warfare during the Vietnam War.

After a tsunami engulfed the Fukushima Daiichi power plant in 2011, the Japanese civil engineering company Shimizu tested its water pressure technologies to purify contaminated soil in the district. Now, Shimizu believes similar technology can work for other contaminants, like the carcinogenic herbicide Agent Orange.^[1]

Agent Orange is a noxious toxin, which can cause limb deformities, cerebral disorders and pediatric cancer. The U.S. military dumped 44 million liters of Agent Orange from aircrafts between 1961 and 1971 on Vietnam. A minimum of 4.7 million Vietnamese were directly impacted by the toxin, spawning millions of children born with birth defects.^[2]

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Remnants of Agent Orange still plague Vietnam

The Vietnamese government has repeatedly tried and failed to rid the soil of Agent Orange. Victims of the dioxide are provided 1.8 million dong ($80.34) a month through government aid. Victims who do not qualify for this support receive a mere 200,000 dong in physical disability assistance.^[2]

Although it’s been more than 40 years since the war ended, areas of Vietnam are still highly contaminated by the herbicidal warfare program. In fact, according to Vietnamese daily Bao Thanh Nien, an airfield in Bien Hoa in southern Vietnam is considered to be “the most dioxin-contaminated place in the world.”^[2]

The airfield has most likely been contaminated by water used to wash planes during the war, which contained contaminates and seeped deep into the soil. Areas near previous U.S. air bases, including Da Nang and Phu Ca, are highly contaminated for equivalent reasons. Including Bien Hoa, these areas are referred to as “the three hot spots.”^[2]

A paved sidewalk wraps around Bien Hung Lake near the Bien Hoa airfield, where boats are available for rent. Nevertheless, locals tend to steer clear from the water. Many fear dioxine, the active ingredient in Agent Orange, has collected in the river bed.

“People who know nothing (about the lake) come here to fish from time to time,” a resident, who lives 200 meters from the lake, told Nikkei Asian Review. “There should be a sign that says danger.” Instead, a “no fishing” sign hangs by the shore.^[2]

Until about 10 years ago, people used to freely roam into the airfield because there was no barrier enclosing it. New industrial parks began building in Bien Hoa. Residents were alarmed that there was no purification method for the contaminated soil. This fear triggered the erection of a wall which now surrounds the base.

Japanese technology offers hope, but not without a price

The Vietnamese government expressed interest in Shimizu’s technology during the winter of 2014. The technology was used to cleanse soil around the Fukushima power plant and a contaminated area upon which the Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to build a greengrocery wholesale market. Top Vietnamese military officers have spoken highly of the technology, as well.^[2]

Shipments of Agent Orange were sent to Shimizu to be tested in October. These tests will play an important role in implementing the technology at a full-scale in Vietnam.

Vietnam began a dialogue with the U.S. about cleaning the remnants of Agent Orange in 2000. In 2012, a joint project was set forth by the U.S. Agency for International Development to cleanse soil in Da Nang. Approximately $41 million was raised by the Vietnamese government in hopes of purifying some 80,000 cu. meters of polluted soil by digging and cooking it to a temperature of 335 C.^[2]

This new technology definitely offers hope — but not without a price. It is estimated that decontaminating Bien Hoa alone will cost $250 million. A Vietnamese government agency plans to discuss Shimizu’s technology at a symposium to be held in Hanoi on Nov. 24th.^[2]

Sources include:

[1] QZ.com

[2] Asia.Nikkei.com