Air pollution in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is increasingly worrying.

According to Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Do Duc Duy, air pollution has increased to alarming levels in the past 10 years, concentrated in big cities, such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

On November 14, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), the National Assembly's Committee for Science, Technology and Environment (NCTE) and the Hanoi People's Committee jointly organized a conference on "Promoting the implementation of solutions to reduce air pollution in major cities of Vietnam".

Speaking at the conference, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Do Duc Duy said that air pollution is the main problem of environmental pollution today. Many countries have had good lessons in air quality management, which we can refer to and learn from.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Do Duc Duy.

"In Vietnam, air pollution has emerged as a result of socio -economic development and urbanization. Pollution levels have increased to alarming levels in the past 10 years, concentrated in large cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The main air pollution parameter today is fine dust with a size smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM 2.5)," said Mr. Duy.

According to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, air pollution occurs seasonally and is greatly affected by climate and weather conditions. Every year, pollution is concentrated from October of the previous year to March of the following year.

During the day, air pollution is concentrated from midnight to morning. However, monitoring data from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shows that air pollution has gradually increased over time, especially when socio-economic activities have recovered after the Covid-19 pandemic.

"This reality requires immediate implementation of solutions to strengthen air pollution control, minimize adverse impacts on people's health, and promote socio-economic development," the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment emphasized.

According to Mr. Duy, recently, with the strong direction of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment together with ministries, branches, and localities, especially Hanoi, has implemented many activities on environmental protection in general and air environment protection in particular.

"However, according to him, the work of controlling and managing air quality still faces many challenges, requiring solidarity for a common goal. Air pollution is not based on administrative boundaries, it is the responsibility of the whole society, not just of any ministry, sector or locality," said the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/bo-truong-tnmt-o-nhiem-khong-khi-tai-ha-noi-tphcm-ngay-cang-dang-lo-ngai-192241114183154086.htm