Promoting efficiency in building successful Key Laboratory for research on atmospheric environment

With modern equipment such as: coupling device GC-IC-ICP-MS / MS (analyzing metal forms in the air); GC / MS / MS equipment (analysis of pesticides, volatile organic compounds, PAHs compounds, aldehydes in the air), the Center for Research and Technology Transfer has successfully built a laboratory meeting ISO / IEC 17025: 2017 standard, with code Vilas 809, and became a qualified Lab to organize environmental monitoring activities of the Ministry of Natural Resources, with code VIMCERT 229, is recognized with 18 parameters of air monitoring and 15 indicators for analyzing the air environment. 

Vilas 809 accreditation certificate and Vimcert 229 certificate

The laboratory is equipped with modern equipment

From 2018 up to now, the lab has carried out many research tasks and successfully built many methods of analyzing toxins in the air environment and monitoring air quality. The number of works published each year in prestigious, domestic and international magazines increases by about 40% compared to the previous year, making the Center for Research and Technology Transfer rank 4th within VAST in terms of the ratio of international articles / staff members in 2019. 

The studies must include the task of "Scientific support in pollution management in Hanoi" under the Research Cooperation program with the International Research Institute for Analytical Application (IIASA) - Austria. The two sides have cooperated to transfer the GAINS model to Vietnam on forecasting trends of air pollution, this is one of the research products of IIASA scientists and Vietnam has been applied to many developed countries in the world. Many results achieved in the project are used on laboratory equipment to calibrate the GAINS model to the pollution conditions and parameters observed in Vietnam, with the focus mainly on the number of greenhouse gases such as CH4, CO2, SO2, NOx and PM 2.5. The research results have helped Vietnamese managers to build policy orientations for sustainable economic development of the country in association with environmental protection. 

At the end of 2019, the PM 2.5 content increased to a very high level, and the Lab also conducted research on PM 2.5 dust content in the air environment in Hanoi. The results obtained are equivalent to the results of the continuous automatic air environment monitoring station of the US Embassy.

PM 2.5 dust monitoring results in Hanoi at the end of 2019

Research results on pollution of BTX and Aldehyde compounds in Hanoi

Forecast of PM 2.5 pollution in the year 2030 in the air affecting the people

In 2019, the Lab has carried out the project "Research and assessment of the level of environmental pollution after the fire of Rang Dong thermos flask joint stock company". In particular, the Lab has monitored, collected samples, analyzed to assess the level of environmental pollution in the warehouse of raw materials and products of the company. The research results were sent to Hanoi city to warn people around the area of the level of pollution. 

Assessment of pollution after the fire at Rang Dong thermos flask

In addition to regular research, the Lab has cooperated with many international organizations such as IIASA Austria, Osaka University Japan, and Hiyoshi Corporation Japan in environmental research and monitoring. In 2019, the Lab participated in the air environment monitoring network in the Asia-Pacific region; whereby, the laboratory is supported in its capacity in air research and analysis. On the other hand, the research results on the baseline environment will be jointly accepted by all parties. The Lab also welcomed a lot of customers to work and sign contracts to monitor and analyze samples of the air environment, the total number of contracts averaged about 80 to more than 100 contracts of all kinds / year, with an average of more than 5000 samples / year. 

Students practice at the laboratory

Besides research, training activities are also focused on developing with many research students, graduate students and bachelors participating in the implementation of research topics in the lab. On the other hand, every year, the LLab attracts hundreds of students majoring in environment or chemistry to visit and practice in order to improve their practical knowledge on modern equipment.

Annually, the lab organizes domestic and international seminars to exchange and update information among scientists and promote the image of the lab. The seminars attracted a large number of domestic and international scientists to attend and exchange information related to the field of atmospheric environment.

Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version