Air quality at many places in Hanoi was at hazardous level (purple) according to PAMAir.
Many areas in Hanoi's inner city had air quality at unhealthy level and were covered with a layer of thick smog on November 12 morning, indicating serious air pollution, according to the Vietnam Environment Administration under Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE).
The air monitoring station at 556 Nguyen Van Cu street in Long Bien district issued a warning "brown" with air quality index (AQI) reaching 338 at 6:00am before dropping to 310 at 7:15am.
The area of Thang Long boulevard is covered in fog and dust at 8:30 am on November 12. Photo: VNA |
Besides, independent air quality analysis systems, PAMAir and AirVisual, also recorded similar results throughout the capital city, which were all at an unhealthy level (AQI above 100).
Airvisual's air quality measuring system at 9:00am recorded AQI of 317 in Tay Ho district, 245 at GreenID (Cau Giay district) and 211 at Hang Dau.
Air quality at many places in Hanoi was at hazardous level (purple) according to PAMAir: 156 in Bac Tu Liem district, 226 in Xuan Thuy and Mai Dich (Cau Giay district), 224 in Hang Bai (Hoan Kiem district), among others.
MONRE warns hazardous air pollution in Hanoi
"This is the first time I've seen such pollution," Hoang Duong Tung, president of Vietnam Clear Air Partnership, who has spent many years researching on air quality in Vietnam.
“With such levels, I think Hanoi should immediately notify its citizens so that they can protect themselves," Tung added.
The high level requires an emergency health warning to the entire population, the Vietnam Environment Administration told VnExpress.
The environment administration identified temperature inversion as the main cause of the pollution. The large gap between day and night temperature causes differences in temperature between the ground and higher altitudes, creating an inversion. It makes air pollutants, especially PM2.5 fine dust, stuck at the lower altitudes, slowly worsening the air quality and damaging the population.
Earlier, the Vietnam Environment Administration had reported that Hanoi's air quality was worsening in the first days of the month, with its PM2.5 levels rising. The PM2.5 levels consistently exceeded national standards (50 μg/m3) and exceeded 100 μg/m3 at times.
The environment administration recommended children, seniors and individuals with respiratory and heart diseases to avoid sustained and high-intensity outdoor exercises when AQI surpasses 150 or above. It advised citizens to refrain from exercising outside in the morning, keep windows closed and use air masks outside.
Other News
- Cultural similarities provide basis for Vietnam-Italy cooperation in various fields
- Hanoi district governments urge new plans for old apartment blocks
- Day-as-a-farmer tour in Duong Lam attracts visitors
- Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day kicks off in Hanoi
- Hanoi tourism festival launched to showcase city's charm
- Firefighting and rescue skills competition in Hanoi
- Hanoi's liberation anniversary: Golden opportunity for tourism development
- Hanoi ratifies zoning plan for Soc Son residential area
- Hanoi pushes ahead with major administrative reform
- Hanoi agricultural and handicraft product week attracts locals and foreigners
Trending
-
Where do Vietnamese prefer to go for their next holiday?
-
Vietnam news in brief- April 19
-
Cultural similarities provide basis for Vietnam-Italy cooperation in various fields
-
Colorful stage shows in Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian area
-
It happened as it had to happen
-
Hanoi street where dead appliances come back to life
-
Vietnam’s economy urged to rely on internal strengths to weather global uncertainties: ADB
-
Vietnam, Thailand advance realization of “Three Connections” strategy
-
MICHELIN Guide sets its sights on Vietnam’s central region