Nearly 90 students and teachers of Quan Toan school were hospitalized presumably from toxic fumes

Vietnamese authorities have ordered several steel plants in the port city of Hai Phong to suspend production after nearly 90 people at a nearby school were hospitalized, presumably from toxic fumes, a newspaper reported.

The amount of sulphur-dioxide discharged near the school was 2-3 times allowed levels, but it said it was still unclear which of the factories was to blame for the health issues.

Secondary school students and teachers became dizzy, and some fainted, on four dates since Oct. 27, the newspaper said.

The deputy director of Hai Phong’s municipal government said a delegation from the environment and natural resources department would conduct a comprehensive inspection of the facilities this week, it reported.

It was not clear how long the steel plants would be closed. A representative of one, Viet-Nhat Steel Company, was quoted as saying it had been closed since Dec. 12.

Industrial pollution is a growing problem for Vietnam, which is expanding its manufacturing capacity and is seen by many as an alternative to China for low-end production, which often creates some of the worst pollution.

Source: Reuters