HANOI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Sea water and marine sediments at monitored areas in central coastal Vietnam are qualified for swimming, water sports and aquaculture, Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) said on Monday.
The information was released four months after toxic waste water coming from a steel factory was discharged into the sea, triggering an environmental crisis.
During Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corporation (FHS)'s trial operation in April this year, waste water with toxics exceeding safety level were discharged into the sea in waters off Vietnam's four central provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue.
A compound of cyanide, phenol and ferric hydroxide whose weight is bigger than seawater was flowing with ocean currents from Ha Tinh to Thua Thien-Hue, causing mass death of fish and sea creatures, especially those living in seabed.
According to a study released Monday in central Quang Tri province, the quality of sea water and marine sediments at the monitored areas are now meeting standard by the MoNRE.
The coral reef and marine creatures at areas which were heavily damaged during the incident have seen positive signs of recovery, state-run radio Voice of Vietnam online newspaper cited the ministry as saying.
With monitor of waste discharging from FHS as well as the self-cleaning mechanism of the environment, the level of contaminants has been gradually decreased.
Results of tests of seafood quality monitored by Vietnam's Ministry of Health during April 4 and Aug. 8 at the four provinces showed that level of contaminants has been gradually decreased.
The Ministry of Health will coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to continue monitoring quality of seafood at these areas.
It was estimated that some 263,000 labors have been impacted by the environmental crisis, according to earlier report by Vietnam's Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.
