High-rise buildings in Hanoi on the morning of January 5. (Photo: VNA) The air quality index (AQI) figures have been reported to the municipal People's Committee whoare working with relevant agencies to identify the causes of the pollution andfor measures to improve air quality.
Results from 35 air quality monitoring stations in the city showed that the AQItended to increase from January 1, and rose sharply up on the morning ofJanuary 5, hit the peak warning level of 5/6.
From December 29 to December 31, 2020, most of the stations showed that the AQIwas good or medium level.
However, from January 1, 2021, the air quality tended to drop sharply, somelocations including the Environmental Protection Department, the People'sCommittee of Minh Khai Ward, and the French Embassy.
According to the city's Department of Natural Resources and Environment, thisis due to the intensification of the northeast monsoon, influence of cold airwith strong winds which promoted a diffusion of pollutants, so the air qualitywas kept at good and medium levels in period from December 29 to 31, 2020.
However, when the cold air decreased with low wind speeds and the temperaturedropped at night, dense fog formed, hindering the diffusion of pollution,causing pollution.
Additionally, the pollutants caused by traffic, construction and industrialproduction in the inner city, and neighbouring provinces accumulated.
The increases of traffic activities after the New Year holiday, of garbagestagnation, spontaneous burning of waste causing environmental pollution,year-end production to supply goods during the Lunar New Year, were also listedas causes of pollution emissions.
Warning heavily polluted days in winter
The National Centre for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting predictedthat from January to March, 2021, many adverse meteorological weathersituations will appear, causing deterioration of air quality and affectingpeople's health.
The city has erected 35 air quality monitoring stations, providing informationon air environment indicators for people to prevent and take measures toprotect their health.
At the same time, the city has effectively deployed directives, plans andprogrammes such as a ban on traditional charcoal stoves and burning of strawand crop residues after harvest.
Environmental experts suggest people limit the opening of windows and doors attimes of bad air quality, especially families near roads and polluted areaswhile planting trees in and around the house helps to prevent dust and cleanthe air.
In the days of very-bad weather, people are advised not to go out to exercisein the morning and evening, the most polluted time of the day, especially theelderly and children and schools should not organise outdoor activities.
Health experts advise people in bad weather to clean their respiratory tractwith normal saline, especially when going to the street and wash their eyeswith saline before going to bed./.
VNA
