Warning of mercury and sulfur poisoning within 1km radius after Rang Dong Plant fire

After the fire of the Rang Dong light bulb and thermos factory on the night of September 28, there was still a lot of dust, polluted air affecting people's health.

Local authorities assert that the information "the environmental treatment is caused by the environment contaminated with mercury from the fire" is spreading on the network today is completely inaccurate.

However, people are still concerned about the leakage of toxic chemicals after the fire, affecting health.

In the meantime, the government makes recommendations to help people protect the health of themselves and their families. Accordingly, the People's Committee of Ha Dinh ward, Hanoi recommends that people living, working and studying within a radius of 1km from the fire center at Rang Dong Company should pay attention to environmental sanitation and safety. Food Hygiene.

Areas within a radius of 1km from the center of the fire

People in areas, agencies, units, schools within 1 km from the fire center of Rang Dong Company (Hanoi) are recommended including:

- People living in the Thang Long Tobacco collective area; Thanh Xuan Bac dormitory; people living around Khuong Trung People's Committee area and Food Industry Institute; part of the Hapulico complex, .

- Dai Nam University area; University of Natural Sciences; University of Social Sciences and Humanities; GT-VT Technology University; Tran Hung Dao High School, Khuong Dinh Secondary School, Ha Dinh Primary School, .

- Especially, in this area, there is Ha Dinh water plant. This is one of 12 factories under Hanoi Water Company.

Content recommended by People's Committee of Ha Dinh ward

- People do not use vegetable, fruit, poultry, fish, and pig food raised within a radius of 1km from the center of the fire within 21 days.

- Need to evacuate children, the elderly, sick people from areas affected by the fire, evacuation time from 1-10 days.

- If there is no necessary work, should restrict travel in the affected area. Or wear a medical mask and disposable after going through a contaminated area.

- To limit the harmful effects of dust and smoke, Ha Dinh Ward recommends that families monitor their members' health. If there is manifestation of cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, unusual fever, it is necessary to seek medical attention at hospitals for timely treatment.

- Do not use water in open water tanks within a radius of 1km from the center of the fire.

- Regarding environmental sanitation after the fire, Ha Dinh ward recommends that people change all clothes contaminated with fires and dust by washing them with clean water several times. Then soak hot soap from 70-80 degrees for 30 minutes, soak for another 20 minutes with detergent, then rinse with clean water several times.

- Clean all exterior surroundings, including water tanks, balcony plants, door walls with solid soap water 2-3 times. Then rinse with plenty of clean water.

- Wash all objects containing water, daily activities with soap and water 2-3 times and many times with clean water. Zoning off environment treatment to ensure food hygiene and safety with areas of crops and vegetables at risk of being affected by chemicals.

- If tree planting continues, new soil and hydroponic solution should be changed, to ensure that it is not contaminated with ornamental plants, spraying with clean water several times to remove dust and chemicals caused by fire.

What do experts say about mercury and sulfur in the air after the Rang Dong Company fire?

Assoc.Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Con (former lecturer of the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Natural Sciences, VNU Hanoi) said that there are a number of chemicals in the fluorescent bulb that can be harmful to human health. According to Mr. Con in this fire does not exclude the possibility of mercury being released along the dust of the fire. In addition to mercury, smoke from this fire may be accompanied by phosphorus, zinc powder, lead, sulfur and some other substances.

However, it is necessary to have research and statistics to know how much toxic leaks are the environment and how it affects people's lives.