Quang Tri Airport Construction: Residents 'suffocated' by dust from the site

Residents living near the Quảng Trị airport construction site are struggling with pervasive dust pollution that has plagued their communities for months. Despite regular cleaning, homes, furniture, and trees are constantly covered in a thick layer of dust, leading to breathing difficulties and health worries. The situation has intensified as the airport project accelerates its construction timeline.

Many households are forced to keep their doors and windows shut for most of the day, with residents frequently wearing masks to avoid inhaling the fine particles. "The dust from the construction site enters every corner of my house," said Hoàng Thị Tâm, a 95-year-old resident of Lâm Xuân village. "Every day since construction began, I feel suffocated and have trouble breathing."

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The dust from the construction site enters every corner of my house. Every day since construction began, I feel suffocated and have trouble breathing.

The dust clouds are so dense that they sometimes obscure visibility. The impact extends beyond health concerns, affecting local livelihoods. Chị Ngô Thị Liên, who runs a food stall, reported a significant drop in business. "Dust settles on the food, and customers assume it's old and hesitate to buy," she explained. "I worry about my young child developing pneumonia. If adults find it hard to breathe, imagine how children are affected."

Residents are frustrated by the lack of containment measures at the construction site, which they believe could mitigate the dust. While supportive of the airport project for its potential economic benefits, they urge the construction units to implement safety and dust-control measures. "We want the project to succeed and boost the province's economy and tourism, but we also need to live in a healthy environment," said ông Phạm Văn Hùng, a retired official living 500 meters from the site.

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Dust settles on the food, and customers assume it's old and hesitate to buy. I worry about my young child developing pneumonia. If adults find it hard to breathe, imagine how children are affected.