THE FORD FOUNDATION

Special Initiative on Agent Orange/Dioxin

 

320 East 43rd Street

Telephone:            1 212 573-5435

New York, NY 10017

E-Mail: C.Bailey@Fordfound.org

 

 

 

Quang M. Nguyen, PE

President

Vietnamese American Science and Technology Society

562 Condor Avenue

Brea, California 92823

                                                                                                            March 26, 2008

 

Dear Mr. Nguyen, 

 

            Thank you for your letter of February 25, 2008 addressed to Ford Foundation President Luis Ubinas which has been referred to me for reply.

 

            We believe that given the known concerns about dioxin-related exposure, it is critical to ensure the scientific integrity and robustness of the sampling and analyses. Dioxin on and around the Danang airbase is a risk to the people living in the vicinity. The Government of Vietnam has recently completed interim containment measures on the north end of the airbase in conjunction with USEPA.  Further assessment is planned to define the full extent of the contamination on and around the airbase in order to design appropriate measures for full remediation.

 

            We expect to continue to work with scientific experts and others to assist the Vietnamese to ensure the safety and well-being of the people in Danang as well as those living near other dioxin hotspots.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

                                                                                          Charles R. Bailey, PhD

                                                                                                     Director

 

Cc: Hatfield Consultants

       US Embassy/ Hanoi, Vietnam

       UNDP/ Hanoi, Vietnam