Air quality in the capital city of Hanoi fell to dangerous levels in the first week of the New Year. (Photo: VNA) Dr. Hoang Duong Tung, Chairman of the Vietnam Clean AirPartnership, suggested changing the behavior of vehicle drivers, improving thequality of vehicle emission systems and developing public transport means.
Associate Prof. Nghiem Trung Dung, former Director ofthe School of Environmental Science and Technology under the Hanoi Universityof Science and Technology, called for joint efforts of the entire society inthis regard and the observance of regulations on environmental protection.
Air quality in the capital city of Hanoi fell todangerous levels in the first week of the New Year, particularly in inner cityareas, according to the Department of Natural Resurces and Environment.
The air quality index (AQI) figures have been reportedto the municipal People's Committee who are working with relevant agencies toidentify the causes of the pollution and for measures to improve air quality.
Results from 35 air quality monitoring stations in thecity showed that the AQI tended to increase from January 1, and rose sharply upon the morning of January 5, hit the peak warning level of 5/6.
From December 29 to December 31, 2020, most of thestations showed that the AQI was good or medium level.
However, from January 1, 2021, the air quality tendedto drop sharply, some locations including the Environmental ProtectionDepartment, the People's Committee of Minh Khai Ward, and the French Embassy.
According to the city's Department of NaturalResources and Environment, this is due to the intensification of the northeastmonsoon, influence of cold air with strong winds which promoted a diffusion ofpollutants, so the air quality was kept at good and medium levels in periodfrom December 29 to 31, 2020.
However, when the cold air decreased with low windspeeds and the temperature dropped at night, dense fog formed, hindering thediffusion of pollution, causing pollution.
Additionally, the pollutants caused by traffic,construction and industrial production in the inner city, and neighbouringprovinces accumulated.
The increases of traffic activities after the New Yearholiday, of garbage stagnation, spontaneous burning of waste causingenvironmental pollution, year-end production to supply goods during the LunarNew Year, were also listed as causes of pollution emissions./.
VNA
