Hanoi is one of the most polluted cities in the world. 3.5 million people in the capital are affected by dust levels 5 times higher than WHO standards.

Hanoi is currently in the most polluted period of the year. The Air Quality Index (AQI for short) in Hanoi capital from the beginning of February until now has been at a poor level for 10 days. Even on February 2, the air quality was still bad. The concentration of fine dust is up to 197, harmful to everyone's health, especially sensitive people, respiratory diseases, the elderly, and young children. This is just an average figure for the whole city of Hanoi.

As for the region, there are days when the air pollution in the center of Hanoi has reached a very bad level with the concentration of fine dust in many stations exceeding 200. Two stations in Ba Dinh and Cau Giay districts are very concentrated. The measured fine dust level is above 300, the highest level of danger to health.

According to the Hanoi Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the number of deaths from causes starting from Hanoi's fine dust is nearly 5,800 people a year, accounting for 32% of the North. So why is Hanoi's air polluted? Through the actual measurement process, scientists have recently shown that about one-third of the PM2.5 dust in the air comes from local sources in Hanoi, of which emissions from traffic are the main cause. leading man.

40% of the population of the capital Hanoi has been exposed to PM2.5 concentrations above 45 μg/m3, more than double the national standard. That is the result from 2015. But perhaps this number has not decreased until now, because nearly 8 years have passed, and the problem of pollution caused by traffic has not been solved.

Traffic is pointed out, named as the biggest source of internal pollution in Hanoi. But the amount of fine dust caused by traffic only accounts for 1/3 of the fine dust in Hanoi. Measurements have shown that the main cause of air pollution lies in external factors. Two-thirds of fine dust originates from industrial activities, including large industrial and power plants as well as craft villages.

Craft villages located in neighboring provinces such as Hung Yen and Bac Ninh still blow smoke and dust toward the capital. These types of smoke are generated from burning coal and wood in boilers and kilns. Nearly 100 craft villages operating without a day off are also the cause of pollution in the two main provinces of Bac Ninh and Hung Yen. The biggest concern is the exhaust fumes from recycling craft villages.
Using satellite data, World Bank experts have shown that fine dust continues to be transported from outside areas to Hanoi. From the center of Hanoi city to the craft village of Bac Ninh or Hung Yen is only about 30km. On windy days, fine dust is not only transported to Hanoi quickly but also much denser.

Human activities are all sources of air pollution. Based on observed pollution levels as well as assessed impacts, the following interventions are recommended for Hanoi:

• Reducing the use of coal and biomass for boilers and kilns in craft villages;
• Prevent road dust by paved and water spraying;
• Strengthening emission control for cars and motorbikes;
• Limit vehicles with high emissions;
• Towards the complete elimination of vehicles that do not meet emission standards;
• Promote public transport, promote cars, and electric motorbikes.

Via: vtv.vn