Hanoi faces serious air pollution

According to the Hanoi People’s Committee, the Air Quality Index measured at 11 locations in Hanoi on September 17-18 ranged between 101 and 170. 

Hoang Duong Tung, chairman of Vietnam Clean Air Network, said that a large amount of vehicles, many on-going construction sites and industrial production activities are among the major causes of the Hanoi’s air pollution.

Post-harvest straw burning has worsened the city’s air pollution in recent days.

According to Tung, PM2.5 described as superfine particles can bring about many dangerous diseases. Normal masks can’t help to prevent them.

Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh from the Institute of Biotechnology from Hanoi University of Technology suggested that more people need to take public transport to ease traffic jams. The city should not build more industrial parks and export processing zones in city-centre areas.

Hanoi also needs to expand green space, Thinh noted.

Vo Tuan Nha, deputy minister of Natural Resources and Environment, said Hanoi has planned to set up more quality monitoring stations along with the development of environmentally-friendly means of transport.

Nha emphasised that polluting facilities should be quickly relocated from the city centre.

Lao Dong/Dtinews

Worsening air pollution leaves Hanoi residents worried

Concerns are growing among residents across Hanoi regarding the poor quality of air that the city has been experiencing over the past few days.

Vehicles large contributors to Hanoi’s air pollution

Transportation, construction and cooking at home are among factors causing pollution both indoors and outdoors in Hanoi.