Air pollution returns after humid days in Hanoi

After days of drizzle and humidity, air pollution has returned to Hanoi .

Hanoi is hazy on a day of air pollution - Photo: DANH KHANG

According to monitoring information at 12:00 on February 28 at 556 Nguyen Van Cu (Long Bien district) and in front of the gate of Hanoi University of Science and Technology (Giai Phong street, Hoang Mai district), air quality was at a bad level, red warning.

Data from the Air Quality Monitoring Portal of the Department of Environmental Pollution Control ( Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment ) at noon the same day at two monitoring points in Thai Nguyen also showed poor air quality.

Specifically, on Hung Vuong Street ( Thai Nguyen City) and Mo Che Ward (Song Cong City, both in Thai Nguyen), air quality is at a bad level.

Hanoi on a humid day (photo taken near Long Bien bridge) - DANH KHANG

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online , Dr. Angela Pratt, chief representative of the World Health Organization in Vietnam, said that in 2023, the average annual concentration of fine dust (PM2.5) in Hanoi was nearly 8 times higher than the recommended level and guidelines of the World Health Organization.

According to Ms. Angela Pratt, the main sources of outdoor pollution in Hanoi come from industrial production, straw burning, road dust, road traffic, smoke from residential areas, smoke from craft villages and waste burning.

Spontaneous waste burning and road dust are among the sources of air pollution in Hanoi - Photo: QUANG THE

In addition, Ms. Angela Pratt said that air pollution also reduces labor productivity and negatively impacts crop and livestock yields.

To solve air pollution at its root, it is necessary to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, switch to new environmentally friendly vehicles, and treat waste more effectively, such as reducing spontaneous burning of straw and waste.

Because according to Ms. Angela Pratt, many sources of outdoor air pollution are also sources of carbon emissions like fossil fuels.

7 international solutions and experiences to improve air quality

Solutions that have proven effective in other cities and countries include:

- Improve air quality monitoring, forecasting and public awareness;

- Apply measures to protect vulnerable groups such as children and vulnerable people. Improve ventilation and air filtration systems;

- Reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Encourage the transition to sustainable construction such as using low or zero emission vehicles and equipment;

- Accelerate electrification of public transport, have policies to encourage people to switch to electric vehicles;

- There needs to be a process with specific steps in waste management, ending the burning of waste and gradually eliminating the burning of straw and agricultural by-products;

- Support households to access clean energy sources, including energy for cooking and daily activities;

- At the macro level, accelerate actions to gradually reduce fossil fuels and switch to cleaner energy sources.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/o-nhiem-khong-khi-tro-lai-sau-nhung-ngay-ha-noi-nom-am-20250228140308184.htm