Severe air pollution lingers in Hanoi on December 24

Air pollution in Hanoi remains severe in the last 24 hours, with air quality readings at many automatic monitoring stations standing mostly at the very bad level, according to the Hanoi Agency of Environmental Protection (AEP).

On December 24 afternoon, the AEP informed that Hanoi’s air quality index (AQI) measured at 10 monitoring stations in the city was in the range of from 157 to 186.

Data: AEP. Graphic: Anh Kiet

In recent days, the capital city’s air quality was mostly at bad and very bad levels at many monitoring stations, indicating worse pollution. The index even increased slightly on December 24 afternoon.

The highest AQI was recorded in Hang Dau (186). Other areas saw all very bad indexes above 150 such as Hoan Kiem, Tay Mo, Kim Lien and Tan Mai.

The AEP repeated the recommendations that Hanoi’s residents should follow air quality information where they are living and working before going out to prevent diseases.

Besides, sensitive groups including children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases should limit their time outdoors.

Data: AEP. Table: Anh Kiet

In case of going out, people should use PM2.5 dust-proof face masks which meet the standard and should travel by car or bus. In particular, pupils should not participate in outdoor activities.

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.

According to forecasts from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecast, weather conditions will not change much in the coming days, thus, it is expected that Hanoi’s air quality will maintain at this level.

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