Hanoi People's Committee has required local authorities to strengtheninspections on brick production at traditional kilns across the city tocurb environmental pollution.

In recent years, thesetraditional kilns have been known for using low-quality coal andout-moded methods that cause massive air pollution, waste ofagricultural land and potential workplace safety concerns.

According to vice chairman of the committee Phi Thai Binh,inspections will highlight Government policies to replace oldtraditional brick kilns with modern and friendly-environmental models by2011.

Districts and commune-level authorities arerequired to re-examine and provide accurate numbers of existingtraditional brick kilns, the numbers of workers and labour safety.

Binh asked local authorities not to extend contracts fortraditional brick kilns which caused massive air pollution. These kilnswould be banned from using agricultural land, to source materials forbrick production.

Local authorities would have topropose measures to encourage kiln owners to transform their businessand create alternative jobs for labourers who work at these kilns.

They were also requested to create conditions fororganisations and individuals who wish to invest in hi-tech brick kilns,which will save 42 percent of coal use and reduces fumes such as carbondioxide and sulphur dioxide to six times less than the levels oftraditional kilns.

Currently, more than 1,000traditional brick kilns are estimated to operate in suburban areas alongthe Hong and Day rivers. Many are responsible for serious pollution andhave a negative affect on local people's lives./.