Environmental Monitoring Program

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An environmental monitoring program is a plan or program aimed at monitoring the environment and assessing environmental conditions. It may include activities such as collecting data on environmental quality, evaluating risks and impacts of human activities on the environment, and identifying measures for environmental protection and remediation. The purpose of an environmental monitoring program is to ensure that the environment is well-maintained to support the existence of living organisms and human economic objectives.

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I. Classification of Environments to be Monitored

1. Surrounding Environment

a. Water Environment

• Surface Water
  • Surface water is the water present on the Earth’s surface. Examples include water in ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, waterfalls, wetlands, and hydroelectric reservoirs. Simply put, any visible water source on the surface that does not require excavation can be considered surface water. Surface water does not contain salt and is replenished from sources such as rainfall and groundwater.
  • Surface water is divided into three main types:
    • Permanent surface water: Water that exists year-round, such as rivers, lakes, and ponds.
    • Semi-permanent surface water: Water bodies that appear only at certain times of the year, such as streams, lagoons, or temporary pools.
    • Artificial surface water: Water created and contained by humans in constructed systems, including artificial lakes, dams, and wetlands. Artificial surface water is often sourced from rivers for hydroelectric purposes.

• Wastewater Environment
  • Domestic Wastewater
    • Domestic wastewater is water used in daily household activities such as bathing, washing, cooking, and other domestic tasks. It may contain suspended solids, oils, sludge, acids, and other organic substances. Domestic wastewater must be treated before being discharged into the environment because it can negatively affect both the environment and human health if not properly managed.
    • Monitoring domestic wastewater involves measuring and tracking the substances present in the water to determine its safety for the environment and human health. Parameters include pH, BOD5, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids, Sulfides, Ammonia, Nitrate, Phosphate, animal and vegetable oils, total surfactants, and Total Coliform. Monitoring results can guide appropriate wastewater treatment solutions to protect the environment and public health.

• • Industrial Wastewater
    • Industrial wastewater is water used in production and industrial activities. It may contain organic, toxic, or other harmful substances that can negatively impact the environment and human health. Therefore, industrial wastewater must be treated before being released to reduce adverse effects. Treatment may include removing harmful substances, reducing solids, or neutralizing pH.
    • Monitoring industrial wastewater involves collecting information about wastewater sources, analyzing its components according to established standards, and evaluating its impact on the environment and human health. Results can inform wastewater treatment strategies for businesses and communities.

• • Natural Wastewater
    • Natural wastewater is water that occurs naturally or originates from sources such as streams, rivers, oceans, or rainwater. It may contain some organic and toxic substances from production or human activities, but generally has less negative impact on the environment than industrial wastewater. Nonetheless, natural wastewater should be monitored to ensure water cleanliness and safety and to protect natural ecosystems.
    • Monitoring natural wastewater involves identifying water sources and assessing water quality, including pH, concentrations of organic and toxic substances, and counts of bacteria and viruses. Monitoring results help ensure water safety and prevent adverse environmental and health impacts.

• • Urban Wastewater
    • Urban wastewater is water and waste from human activities in cities, including households, industries, and services. It may include wash water, distilled water, and water from aquaculture systems. Urban wastewater must be treated before use or discharge into natural water bodies to prevent environmental and health risks.
    • Monitoring urban wastewater involves measuring and recording the quantity and types of substances before treatment or discharge. Its purpose is to ensure effective and safe treatment for both the environment and humans. It also helps ensure regulatory compliance and provides information for environmental management agencies regarding environmental status and treatment costs.

• Groundwater
  • Groundwater is water stored beneath the Earth’s surface, found in rock and soil layers. It can be used for production, domestic, and agricultural purposes. However, its quality needs to be controlled and monitored to protect health and the environment.
  • Monitoring groundwater involves tracking, measuring, and assessing its quality. This includes observing changes in organic and pollutant concentrations, such as bacteria and heavy metals, to ensure safe usage and prevent environmental harm.

• Sea Water
  • Sea water is found in the world’s oceans. It is fed by rivers, streams, and other sources, and may contain organic and pollutant substances from human and natural activities. Sea water is also home to numerous marine species, including plants and animals.
  • Monitoring sea water involves tracking and evaluating its quality, including the water and marine habitats. The main goal is to ensure protection of the water and conservation of marine life. This may involve monitoring species conditions and controlling activities that could harm sea water and its ecosystems.

b. Ambient Air Environment

• The air environment includes all factors and conditions in the atmosphere, such as microclimatic factors, physical elements, dust, toxic vapors, and other components. The air environment is crucial for the health and survival of living organisms, including humans.
• Air quality monitoring involves measuring and analyzing parameters related to the air environment, including microclimate, physical elements, dust, toxic vapors, and other factors. Its purpose is to evaluate changes, manage, and mitigate air pollution, climate change, and adverse environmental impacts from human activities. It also helps identify objectives and solutions to minimize environmental impacts.

c. Emission Environment

• Emissions are harmful gaseous or vaporous substances released into the environment from human industrial or daily activities. They originate from burning fuels such as natural gas, gasoline, oil, coal, etc., and are discharged via chimneys, nozzles, or exhaust pipes, dispersing into the atmosphere with the wind.
• Measuring and evaluating emissions and their effects on the environment and human health is critical. Emission monitoring involves using instruments to measure and record emission levels and assessing their impact. Results guide environmental strategies, including reducing emissions and protecting human health and the environment.

d. Soil Environment

• Soil is a layer of the Earth, including topsoil, subsoil, and seabed layers. It provides habitat for numerous plants and animals and serves as a food source for humans. It is also an essential resource for agriculture and minerals.
• Soil monitoring involves observing and assessing soil conditions, including pH, organic and microbial content, and changes in total substance levels. The aim is to preserve soil for agricultural, residential, and ecological purposes.

e. Sediment Environment

• Sediment refers to the accumulation and storage of hazardous substances and waste in soil, water, and air. Sediments can negatively affect human health and the environment, so management and risk reduction strategies are necessary.
• Sediment monitoring involves collecting data on composition, density, concentrations of organic and inorganic substances, and harmful substances. Monitoring helps understand and adjust human activities to maintain safe and sustainable sediment for the environment.

2. Workplace Environment

• The workplace environment is the area where employees perform tasks using tools, machinery, and equipment. It can contain hazards affecting workers’ health, including light, temperature, noise, dust, and toxic substances, which may lead to occupational diseases or cancer.
• Workplace environmental monitoring involves collecting, evaluating, and analyzing environmental factors at employee workstations and implementing measures to mitigate any risks exceeding permissible limits. It ensures a safe, clean, and comfortable working environment. Monitoring includes assessing light, temperature, noise, dust, and potential toxic substances in the workplace.

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II. Environmental Monitoring Program

1. Defining Monitoring Objectives

a. Monitoring Locations

• Assess the environment, including evaluating safety and health risks for workers and the workplace, and identify locations that need monitoring.
• Identify hazardous substances that may affect workers’ health at their work locations.
• Assess working conditions, such as lighting, temperature, etc., to determine locations with factors harmful to workers’ health.
• Participate in work activities and experience the actual working environment to accurately assess safety and health conditions at the workplace.
• Collect feedback from workers about the work environment to identify areas that require monitoring.
• Use measuring devices to monitor harmful factors in the workplace, such as lighting, temperature, etc., at work locations.

b. Number of Samples Required

• Use a fixed sampling frequency to measure workplace environmental factors.
• Use direct observation to assess the safety and health status of the work environment, thereby determining the number of samples to collect.
• Collect samples after a change event occurs, such as a modification in the production process, etc.

c. Monitoring Frequency

• Assess the level of environmental pollution in areas to be monitored to determine the annual monitoring frequency.
• Define the purpose of environmental monitoring according to management requirements to establish an annual monitoring frequency.
• Conduct monitoring according to the frequency outlined in previously executed monitoring plans.

Typically, the annual monitoring frequency is 2 to 4 times per year.

d. Sampling Methods

Before selecting a sampling method, clearly define the objectives and purpose of environmental monitoring. The choice of sampling method depends on several factors, such as the size of the environment, data characteristics, and desired accuracy.

• Verification sampling involves collecting samples from locations pre-identified based on intended use before implementing the sampling program. This method requires comprehensive information about the entire sampling area. The sampler must be well-equipped for air monitoring. Gathering information is crucial for designing a verification sampling program.
• Systematic sampling collects samples that are closely related in time and space. This method features samples taken at specific intervals and directions over space and time. Results from this method are highly valuable, allowing precise identification of temporal and spatial variability patterns. It also simplifies managing the sampling network. However, because the environment changes over time, it may lead to repeated sampling.
• Stratified sampling involves dividing areas into several strata, with samples taken from each stratum either systematically or randomly. Within each stratum, environmental factors are more uniformly distributed than across the entire sampling area. Strata can be divided by space, time, or based on object attributes. While this method maximizes the use of data for dividing environmental factors, legal sample quantity may be higher, and comparing strata requires considering the importance of each stratum.
• Exploratory sampling is a type of verification sampling used to identify study requirements or to perform simple sampling.
• Cross-sectional sampling is a variant of systematic sampling. It allows mapping sampling lines that are either parallel or non-parallel.

e. Monitoring Equipment and Sampling Tools

• Identify the objectives and subjects requiring monitoring or sampling.
• Research available monitoring equipment or sampling tools and understand their advantages and disadvantages.
• Evaluate monitoring equipment or sampling tools according to the needs and standards of the objectives and subjects.
• Select the most appropriate monitoring equipment or sampling tools for the objectives and subjects.
• Inspect and confirm that the chosen monitoring equipment or sampling tools operate correctly and provide accurate results.

Note: Selecting accurate monitoring equipment or sampling tools is crucial to ensure the precision and usefulness of results.

g. Sampling Personnel

• Depending on the size and scope of the project, objectives and purposes of monitoring, and available personnel, allocate staff appropriately for each monitored environment.
• Use a small team of staff to perform monitoring or direct measurements, with each staff member responsible for a specific area or a set of samples. This can optimize efficiency and accuracy of monitoring or measurements.
• For larger projects, personnel allocation may require a larger team or the use of supporting technologies, such as automated monitoring devices or data management software.

2. Data Collection in the Environmental Monitoring Program

• For indicators that can be measured and produce immediate results using environmental monitoring equipment, the monitoring staff can perform direct measurements at the location and object to be monitored. This includes indicators such as lighting, temperature, humidity, etc.
• For indicators that cannot be directly processed and analyzed, the monitoring staff will collect samples and bring them to a laboratory for analysis. This includes toxic gases such as benzene, toluene, xylene, etc.

3. Data Processing in the Environmental Monitoring Program

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• The purpose of analyzing this data is to assess the condition and quality of the environment and identify factors for improvement to create a safer and more efficient workplace.
• The results of environmental monitoring data analysis can be used to improve work environment quality, enhance safety and health for personnel, and minimize losses for the company.

4. Evaluation and Reporting of Monitoring Results

Evaluating and reporting environmental monitoring results includes the following steps:

• Organize and process data collected from monitoring equipment in the environment.
• Use data analysis methods such as charts, statistics, and other techniques to analyze the data.
• Compare monitoring results with relevant standards and regulations to assess the condition and quality of the environment.
• Compile evaluation results and write an environmental monitoring report according to Appendix 8 of Circular 19/2016/TT-BYT. The report must include important information on environmental condition and quality, along with improvement recommendations.

Environmental monitoring reports must be updated regularly and submitted to relevant parties, such as government authorities, environmental protection organizations, and project managers.

5. Submission of Environmental Monitoring Program Results

• First, identify which government agency will receive your report. This could be a local authority, environmental management agency, or relevant government environmental office.
• Then, prepare all necessary documents to submit environmental monitoring results, including monitoring reports, tables, images, and any other materials required by the regulatory authority.
• After preparing the documents, contact the government agency to determine the best method to submit the monitoring report. You can submit by mail or directly at the agency’s office.

6. Implementing Environmental Improvement Measures

• Based on monitoring results, identify key issues that need to be addressed and improved.
• Determine reasonable and effective solutions to address the identified issues.
• Implement the identified solutions to carry out environmental improvement measures.
• Monitor and make adjustments if necessary.

7. Monitoring and Evaluating the Effectiveness of Improvement Measures

• First, clearly define the objectives of the measures and evaluation criteria to determine whether goals are achieved.
• Next, develop a monitoring and inspection plan for implementing environmental improvement measures to ensure accuracy and effectiveness of data.
• Conduct monitoring and evaluation according to the established plan and update information on measure implementation.
• Finally, compile and report monitoring and evaluation results, including achievements and issues requiring further improvement.

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III. The Important Role of the Living Environment

• The living environment plays a crucial role in the existence and development of organisms, including humans. It provides water, food, air, energy, and a suitable environment for the growth and development of living species.
• The environment also plays a vital role in biological systems and resource systems, helping to protect and maintain balance in nature.
• However, human activities such as production, consumption, and waste disposal can negatively impact the environment and reduce the quality of life for living organisms. Therefore, managing and protecting the living environment is essential to ensure sustainable and abundant life on Earth.
• Pollution of the living environment can be very harmful to human health and other living organisms. Especially if the environment is polluted by multiple sources, such as emissions, waste, lead, varnish, industrial activities, and urbanization, it can cause diseases in humans, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, liver disorders, and fatal toxicity.
• Living organisms are also severely affected by environmental pollution. They may struggle to find food, suffer health damage, and potentially die from toxins or poor environmental conditions.

• The current state of environmental pollution worldwide remains serious. Many human activities, such as production, processing, transportation, and resource consumption, cause significant environmental pollution. Pollutants such as emissions, wastewater, and nuclear waste can threaten human health, animal species, and living environments. If not managed in time, environmental pollution can lead to severe consequences, including wildlife destruction, health deterioration, and reduced quality of life.
• Therefore, managing the living environment is critical to ensure humans and other organisms have a clean and safe environment for survival and development.

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IV. Significance of the Environmental Monitoring Program

• Environmental monitoring is important because it helps us understand the state of the environment and the issues it faces. It also guides us on actions needed to protect and remediate environmental problems.
• Monitoring involves recording, analyzing, and evaluating environmental conditions. It helps identify sources of pollution and ways to address them.
• Environmental monitoring also provides important data for scientists, environmental experts, and non-governmental organizations to support the development and implementation of environmental protection policies.
• Additionally, the monitoring program helps evaluate the impact of human activities on the environment and environmental indicators such as temperature changes, waste production, and chemical transformations.

In summary, environmental monitoring is necessary to preserve environmental health and sustainability, while ensuring minimal harm to humans and other living organisms.

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V. Periodic Environmental Monitoring Plan

The environmental monitoring plan is a periodic assessment process of a company’s environment to identify safety and health issues for humans and the environment, as well as factors affecting workers’ quality of life. This plan typically includes the following steps:

• Define the objectives and scope of monitoring.
• Establish criteria and indicators for environmental evaluation.
• Develop a roadmap for periodic environmental monitoring.
• Calculate costs and select a suitable environmental monitoring provider.
• Contact a service provider for environmental monitoring.
• Analyze monitoring results and identify issues that need to be addressed.
• Report monitoring results and proposed environmental improvement measures to relevant regulatory authorities.
• Develop an action plan and reassess the effectiveness of the plan.

Implementing a structured and effective periodic workplace environmental monitoring plan can help businesses improve the environment and maintain a safe and healthy living environment.