USAID First Interim Measures for Dioxin Remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase Area

The Bien Hoa Airbase Area is one of three major dioxin contamination hotspots in Vietnam identified through studies completed in the 1990's. Bien Hoa, along with Phu Cat, and Danang Airports, were used by the U.S. military for the import, storage, and loading of Agent Orange between 1961 and 1971.

In 2016, USAID collaborated with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) to prepare a report titled "Environmental Assessment of Dioxin Contamination at Bien Hoa Airbase" (EA). USAID prepared the EA in compliance with the requirements of Title 22 of the United States (U.S.) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 216 (https://www.usaid.gov/vietnam/documents/environmental-assessment-dioxin-contamination-bien-hoa-airbase).

The 2016 EA is the primary resource documenting characterization of dioxin contamination on and around Bien Hoa Airbase. The EA estimates the volume of dioxin-contaminated soils at the site between 408,500 (baseline estimated volume) to 495,300 cubic meters (m3). The majority, approximately 95%, of the contaminated soil is located on the airbase. The remaining contaminated soil is located outside of the airbase.

The objectives of this Contract are:

• Excavate dioxin contaminated soil from select on-airbase locations, restore these areas using clean fill, and isolate excavated, contaminated soil in two storage areas constructed on-airbase.
• Halt the migration of dioxin contaminated soil from the on-airbase, Pacer Ivy area to other on- and off-airbase locations.