Department of Chemistry & Environment
Director: Dr. Nghiem Xuan Truong
Vice Director: MSc. Le Bao Hung
Contact address: 63 Nguyen Van Huyen Str., Nghia Do ward, Cau Giay district, Hanoi city
Phone: +840243 7566388; +84243 2121929
Website: www.emalab.com.vn
The Department of Chemistry & Environment was founded on the basis of the Laboratory of Analysis of Vietnam- Russia Tropical Center (established by 18 July 1992) to analyze Agent Orange/ dioxin and to do the research on the long-term impacts of chemistry war carried out by America on ecology and biomedicine of Vietnam, which is one in basic contents confirmed by 02 governments via the Agreement. During the very first day of establishment, there were only 04 officers to take responsibility for collecting, processing, analyzing samples and reporting. To complete assigned tasks, the whole Department always put effort to ensure steady specialization and to be the Pioneer of monitoring and analyzing dioxin/furan in Vietnam.
Together with the development of the Center, the Laboratory of Analysis was upgraded and renamed into Department of Chemistry and Environment by September 2009 with 02 Laboratories: Dioxin Analysis Laboratory and Environment Analysis Laboratory. During recent years, the Department participated deeply in monitoring, analyzing Agent Orange/ Dioxin, Dioxin-like Policlobiphenyl (dl-PCB), other toxic chemicals originated from the War and found these compounds from industrial and population’s activities. It is confirmed that Department of Chemistry and Environment to be the pioneer of monitoring, analyzing dioxin/ furan in Vietnam today. There are currently 17 analysts with 03 doctors, 03 postgraduates, 07 masters, 02 engineers, bachelors, and 2 technicians.
Staff of Department of Chemistry & Environment
LABORATORIES
Environmental Analysis Laboratory
SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL
Council’s Chairman; Dr. Nghiem Xuan Truong
Secretary of Council: Dr. Tran Dinh Phien
Council’s Member: Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tuan, MSc. Le Bao Hung, MSc. Nguyen Kim Thuy.
FUNCTIONS
The Department of Chemistry and Environment is a scientific and technological research unit in the field of chemistry and environment, with the functions:
- Do research and develop technology;
- Implement scientific and technological services on environment analysis;
- Coordinate scientific and technological activities with research organizations and institutes at home and abroad;
- Train cadres.
TASKS
- Do research on chemistry & environment analysis;
+ Set up methods and conduct environmental samples, biology (dioxin/furan, organic pollutants, inorganic pollutants, toxic chemicals, etc.);
+ Study and evaluate impacts on environment and treatment.
- Implement scientific and technological services on chemical and environment analysis;
- Build and develop scientific and technological potential of the Department and participate in training scientific cadres and technicians.
- Coordinate scientific and technological activities in the fields of chemistry and environment with units under Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center and research institutes at home and abroad.
- Perform other tasks from Vietnam side only assigned by the State, the Ministry of National Defense and the Head of the Tropcenter.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Some achievements
- The Department has presided and participated in implementing over 50 topics, tasks and projects at all levels: 04 topics of Coordination Committee about Vietnam- Russia Tropical Center, 10 projects and programs from Ministry of National Defense about research and overcome consequences of chemical war in military zones; 12 topics at government level which belongs to the program of research and overcome consequences of chemical war by America in Vietnam; and 05 international projects deployed by UNDP, UNEP, USAID and some tasks from other departments.
- Successfully develop methods for monitoring and analyzing dioxin/furan, dl-PCB, some criteria of POP, VOC, herbicides, heavy metals, SPT dust, PM10, PM2.5 and some basic physical and chemical indicators in environmental and biological samples.
- Be recognized with Certificate of ISO 17025:2017 (VILAS 856); Certificates of recognition the eligibility for environmental monitoring activities (VIMCERTS 256), with over 170 environmental parameters of soil/sediment, solid waste, air, emissions and water.
- The Department participated in monitoring, analyzing the persistence of dioxin/Agent Orange within the projects Z1, Z2, Z3 of Ministry of National Defense. Monitor dioxin/furan and some toxic chemicals, analyze quality of soil, sediment, surface water, underground water, sewage and air during the progress of toxic removal at Da Nang Airport and dioxin contaminated landfill areas at Bien Hoa, Phu Cat Airport in order to give timely warnings and suggestions to reduce dioxin dispersal, other toxic chemicals in the environment.
- Carry out main task of analyzing dioxin/ furan in environmental samples and biological samples. It belongs to the topics at government level, Program 33 about researching, setting up demonstrations of chemical war historical places, evaluating the persistence of dioxin in the environment, proposing recommendations for the periods of 2005-2010, 2010-2015 and other projects, tasks, science technology contracts.
- Participate in monitoring, analyzing and assessing dioxin/furan emissions and other toxic chemicals emitted from industrial and civil activities in Vietnam at present, such as manufacturing, recycling metals, thermal power, cement, burning wastes (medical, industrial, domestic waste, etc.).
- Number of declared scientific articles: From the research results, it has publicized 60 articles on prestigious journals under SCI, SCI-E lists, domestic journals and at international scientific seminars at home and abroad.
