Red dust from Long Thanh airport construction site spills onto highway and neighboring residential areas - Photo: A LOC
In recent days, people living near the construction area - Long Thanh airport ( Dong Nai ) have been continuously attacked by red dust, seriously affecting their lives.
Notably, experts say this also poses a potential risk to health and traffic safety... Red dust not only attacks houses and schools... but also spreads to the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay highway, limiting drivers' visibility.
Long-term inhalation of red dust damages the lungs.
Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online , Associate Professor Tran Van Ngoc - President of the Ho Chi Minh City Respiratory Association - said that red dust is mainly composed of dust created from construction sites, and the wind can cause it to fly further.
When inhaling these dust particles, the lung and bronchial filtration systems will automatically eliminate them. However, if exposed regularly day after day, for a long time, it will greatly affect health such as: damage to the respiratory tract mucosa, pneumonia, lung infection, pulmonary fibrosis...
The most vulnerable people are the elderly and children, due to their weak immune systems.
Doctor Ngoc recommends that people living near Long Thanh airport should wear masks to limit the penetration of red dust into the respiratory tract.
When indoors, people should use curtains, close doors, and use exhaust fans to expel dust.
In addition, more trees can be planted to limit the amount of red dust. For construction sites, when the weather is sunny and the number of vehicles operating is high, water must be regularly sprinkled to limit dust generation.
Red dust needs to be stopped soon.
Dr. Nguyen Bao Thanh - construction expert of Van Lang University - commented that the situation of red dust from the construction sweeping into people's houses and the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway continues to have a great impact on people's health and traffic safety on the expressway.
Units need to actively implement solutions to prevent this and minimize potential risks.
The most commonly used method today is misting to suppress dust and watering the construction area regularly. However, Long Thanh airport is a large project so many high-pressure misting trucks must be used at the same time.
Even if necessary, units must consider inviting experts with experience in this issue to participate in consulting, handling, and learning from experiences from countries that have experienced similar situations.
In addition, during construction and transportation, we should try to cover and limit the spread of red dust.
People living nearby need to proactively wear masks, water, cover their houses, etc. to minimize direct contact with red dust, especially the elderly and children.
Air Pollution Index Recommendations
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control, the AQI (Air Quality Index) is an index that reports daily air quality.
This is considered a simplified measure of air pollution levels, indicating whether the air around us is clean or polluted, and to what extent.
The higher the AQI, the greater the risk to public health. The AQI focuses on the health effects that people may experience within hours or days of breathing polluted air.
Specifically, if the air quality index AQI is from 51-100, you can participate in unlimited outdoor activities.
AQI index from 101-150 should reduce time participating in outdoor activities, limit or avoid activities in areas at risk of air pollution such as streets, traffic intersections, construction sites, industrial production areas, craft villages and other polluted areas.
AQI from 151-200 should limit strenuous activities. Rest more, do moderate activities.
In addition, avoid activities in areas with high risk of air pollution, limit opening windows, especially families near traffic routes.
AQI from 201-300 should avoid outdoor activities for long periods or participate in strenuous activities. Encourage indoor activities.
AQI from 301-500 should avoid outdoor activities, switch to indoor activities or change to another day when the air quality index is better.
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