Hanoi’s air quality improves, but remains bad on some week days

Air quality in Hanoi during the week ended January 18 at many automatic monitoring stations tended to improve thanks to weather conditions, but remained bad on some days of the week, according to the department’s Agency of Environmental Protection (EAP).

Air quality index (AQI) at the monitoring stations. Source: AEP

The agency said that Hanoi’s air quality index (AQI) measured at 10 monitoring stations in the city ranged from 39 to 201 during the week.

At monitoring stations such as Trung Yen 3, Kim Lien, Tan Mai, My Dinh and Tay Mo, in the past week, the AQI was better than the previous week. Specifically, AQI at none of the stations reached the unhealthy level. The index was at the bad level in only 1/7 days at all five stations, the rest was recorded at the average level. The AQI at Tan Mai station was at the good level (greeen) in 2/7 days.

At two traffic monitoring points in Minh Khai and Pham Van Dong wards, which usually see heavy traffic, in the week, the AQI at both stations increased considerably. The highest readings at Minh Khai and Pham Van Dong stations were 201 and 199, respectively.

Percentage of days with air quality at different levels. Source: AEP

For monitoring stations such as Hoan Kiem, Hang Dau and Thanh Cong, air quality during the week all worsened to the bad level, the AQI at Hang Dau station was even very bad, with the highest reading hitting the unhealthy level (201).

It can be seen that air quality and weather conditions during the week are closely correlated. It was mostly dry, less windy, the large difference in day and night temperature was detrimental to the diffusion of pollutants in the air, leading to the AQI hitting the bad level which adversely affects local residents’ health.

In the days prior to Tet holiday, the higher demand for travel of residents living in Hanoi will cause more pollution due to dust and smoke from vehicles.

The EAP recommends that sensitive groups including children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases should limit their time outdoors.

When travelling on roads, people need to strictly follow traffic laws to reduce traffic congestion.

People should reduce activities that cause air pollution such as burning waste, cooking by charcoal stoves, transporting construction waste without shielding.

Information on the capital city’s air quality is continuously updated at the website: https://moitruongthudo.vn/ and https://airhanoi.hanoi.gov.vn/.